One Parting Word, Dear Mother - song lyrics 
American Old-time song lyrics from www.traditionalmusic.co.uk 
One Parting Word, Dear Mother. Copyright. 1864, by W. R Smith. 
How those mirthful, happy hours, and joyous scenes of life. Have cheered my heart of sadness in the midnight hour so drear; With the prayer kind mother taught me, to shield my country's strife, When list'ning to the thunder of the cannon booming near. 
Chorus. One parting word, dear mother, as my time is drawing nigh. Kiss sisters dear, and brothers, with my parting word good-bye. 
How dreadful is the moaning of the wounded left to die. While there's no mother's gentle care to soothe her son that fell; And the visions of his dreams, as on the field he lie, Of death And separation, when he's done his duty well.-Chorus. 
Oh, mother, thou'lt be lonely, thy future days be drear. From the silence of the dear one whom thou can'st never save; And thy little; birds of music, whom no sorrow knew or fear. Will change their notes of sweetness like the ocean's restless wave-Chorus 
But weep not. oh, dear mother, for the loved one that is gone. For his sorrows in this world will now be free from pain; I fear thy heart will grieve, thy sighs will ne'er be done, While thinking of the absent one in battle has been slain. Chorus.