Johnny Cash Johnny Reb lyrics

Just like Mr. Greeley suggested
Back in 1860s many young men went west
But they went with their pistols cocked
It seemed the only way to escape the horrors of war

But sometimes the horrors
Were even worse in the west
Back on the front, the losers
Johnny Reb they called him, fought all the way

Okay, Johnny Reb
You can sound down the flag now
It's all over

Yeah, you fought all the way
Johnny Reb, Johnny Reb
You fought all the way
Johnny Reb

I saw you a marchin' with Robert E Lee
You held your head high tryin' to win the victory
You fought for you folks but you didn't die in vain
And even though you lost they speak highly of your name

You fought all the way
Johnny Reb, Johnny Reb
You fought all the way
Johnny Reb

I heard your teeth chattered from the cold outside
Saw the bullets open up the wounds in your side
Saw the young boys when they began to fall
There were tears in your eyes but you couldn't help at all


You fought all the way
Johnny Reb, Johnny Reb
Yeah, you fought all the way
Johnny Reb

I saw General Lee raise a sabre in his hand
Heard the cannons roar as you made your last stand
You marched into battle with the Grey and the Red
When the smoke cleared away it took days to count the dead

'Cause you fought all the way
Johnny Reb, Johnny Reb
You fought all the way
Johnny Reb

And when President Lincoln heard the news of your fall
Everyone said there'd be a victory ball
But he asked the band if they would play Dixie
For you Johnny Reb and for what you believed?

'Cause you fought all the way
Johnny Reb, Johnny Reb
You fought all the way
Johnny Reb

Yeah, you fought all the way
Johnny Reb, Johnny Reb
You fought all the way
Johnny Reb