Well I did not see it comin’, and at a time I could never have guessed.
Just a puff of smoke at the treeline, then a hurtin’ in my chest.
So I'll just sit me down easy, lean back on this white oak tree.
Cause I know pretty soon my buddies will be comin’ after me.

I've had my fill of fightin’, I've seen good men fight and die.
And sometimes when the fightin’ gets heavy, you can hear grown men cry.
But here's a puzzle that I can't answer, here is something I just don't know,
These Rebs and Yanks are my brothers, and I can't tell friend from foe.

Oh, Molly, won't you bring me water
Let me rest in the warmth of your smile.
Won't you lay down all of your handwork,
Come and sit by my bed for awhile?
Let me beg of you forgiveness
For the way I've lived my life.
And then let me go where the good soldiers go,
Oh, Molly, my love, my wife.

I can see your face in the sunrise, I can hear your voice in the damp.
And at night I sit and look at your picture, by the light of my coal oil lamp.
Sometimes I wonder why I'm here, it's just something that I had to do.
But I hope soon this war will be over, and I'll be comin’ on home to you.

Oh, Molly, won't you bring me water
Let me rest in the warmth of your smile.
Won't you lay down all of your handwork,
Come and sit by my bed for awhile?
Let me beg of you forgiveness
For the way I've lived my life.
And then let me go where the good soldiers go,
Oh, Molly, my love, my wife.

Oh, the light seems to be fadin’, the sky's all red and gold.
But why do my hands keep shakin’, and why am I so damn cold?
Oh, Molly, won't you hold my hand now, as I come to this river wide.
Cause I know that I can cross easy, with you here by my side.

Oh, Molly, won't you bring me water
Let me rest in the warmth of your smile.
Won't you lay down all of your handwork,
Come and sit by my bed for awhile?
Let me beg of you forgiveness
For the way I've lived my life.
And then let me go where the good soldiers go,
Oh, Molly, my love, my wife.
And then let me go where the good soldiers go,
Oh, Molly, my love, my wife.