A fictional song based on a factual skirmish that happened in Cheraw during the Civil War.

Do you hear that rebel yell
Sounds like they’re giving some Yankees hell
I guess it serves them right
They’ve stolen everything in sight

Chorus:
Before long we’ll be old enough
Then they’ll have to let us join up
I’m going to join the cavalry
And ride with Forrest in Tennessee

You won’t believe what I just heard
General Lee is attacking Gettysburg
If he can win on Northern ground
Maybe we can turn this war around

Chorus:
Before long we’ll be old enough
Then they’ll have to let us join up
I’m going to join the cavalry
And ride with Forrest in Tennessee

I’m afraid I have some bad news
Father took a bullet near Baton Rouge
No Daddy’s never coming home
But he would want us to both be strong

Chorus:
Before long we’ll be old enough
Then they’ll have to let us join up
I’m going to join the cavalry
And ride with Forrest in Tennessee

The battle at Gettysburg was lost
It was a desperate move at a great cost
The charge of Pickett’s Brigade
Came a day or two too late

Chorus:
Before long we’ll be old enough
Then they’ll have to let us join up
I’m going to join the cavalry
And ride with Forrest in Tennessee

Now they say Atlanta finally fell
The lines are down so it’s hard to tell
They say Sherman’s headed east
He won’t stop till he gets to the sea

Chorus:
Before long we’ll be old enough
Then they’ll have to let us join up
I’m going to join the cavalry
And ride with Forrest in Tennessee

The Yankees are just outside of town
I heard they shot an old man down
Go and grab our hunting guns
We might die but we’ll never run

Chorus:
Before long we’ll be old enough
Then they’ll have to let us join up
I’m going to join the cavalry
And ride with Forrest in Tennessee

There are soldiers in the yard
And they are setting fire to our barn
Stand by the window and when I say
Break the glass and fire away

© Kent Newsome and Ronnie Jeffrey