Good evening, kind friends, how do you all do?
'Tis a very long time since I've been to see you
I am a volunteer for the Union I go
And I'm down on Secession, is Billy Barlow
Oh, yes, I'm rough, I well know
But a bully old soldier is Billy Barlow
Since last I saw you, to Richmond I've been
And during my stay Mrs. Davis I've seen
She treated me kindly, and smiled on me so
Old Jeff, he got jealous of Billy Barlow
Oh, yes, I'm rough, I well know
But the ladies all like Mr. William Barlow
Now I see on picket every time I go out
A nice little gal her name is Lize Stout
They say she's Secеsh, but I know that's not so
For she'll stand by the Union with Billy Barlow
Oh, yes, I'm rough, I wеll know
But a very good fellow is Billy Barlow
Now there's one thing I can't help but to look at
What keeps our Quartermaster so sleek and so fat
It may not be good living but there's one thing I know
He'd get thin on the grub he gives Billy Barlow
Oh, yes, I'm rough, I well know
But I'm used to good living, is Billy Barlow
It's down in Virginia at a place called Bull Run
Where first our brave soldiers, their fighting begun
It's true they got routed but then you all know
It was on account of the absence of Billy Barlow
Oh, yes, I'm rough, I well know
But a bully old soldier is Billy Barlow
Just a few words more than I shall have done
And I hope what I've said you will take all in fun
If I have not done right, why, please tell me so
And I'll bid you good night will Billy Barlow
Oh, yes, I'm rough, I well know
But I hope you'll excuse Mr. old Billy Barlow