Luther left at first light Friday morning Little Dan and Becky wave good-bye They're gonna have to share the wait together Idle hands will see a good fire slowly die Gone to Shiloh for the Union Shoulder to shoulder, side by side Gone to Shiloh, hope springs eternal When flags and bullets start to fly April's come and the air smells fresh with rain They watched his shadow fade around the bend He's headed for a different kind of thunder And the stunned surprise in the eyes of dying men Gone to Shiloh for the Union Shoulder to shoulder, side by side Gone to Shiloh, time passes slowly When flags and bullets start to fly The old black rooster sang in death down that dirt road His steps in bold, his man of fancy free I pray we see him alive and well in the forehead In that Godforsaken place in Tennessee Gone to Shiloh for the Union Shoulder to shoulder, side by side Gone to Shiloh, men stand united When flags and bullets start to fly After all this, if we should prevail Heaven help the South When Sherman comes their way