The Why and the Wherefore - Jay Munly

Where, where‚ where‚ where

Where are you bound‚ young man?

I’m off to the war with good men and true

And hadn’t you better come along too?

I speak my mind quite freely

Now, really

Why, why‚ why, why

Why to the war, young man?

Did a man ever fight for a holier cause

Than freedom and flag and equal love

Just speak your mind quite freely

Now really

Which‚ which, which, and which

And which is the flag of the free?

Oh, Washington’s flag with the stripes and the stars

Will you give such name to the thing with the bars?

I speak my mind quite freely

Now, really

Who, who, who, and who

And who goes with you to the war?

Ten thousand brave lads and if they should stay here

The girls would cry shame and bawl and tear

They speak their minds quite freely

Now, really

When, when, when, and when

And when do you mean to come back?

When rebellion is crushed and the Union restored

And freedom is safe, then, please the Lord

I speak my mind quite freely

Now, really

What, what, what, and what

And what will you gain by that?

Oh I’ve gained enough, whatever the cost

That freedom, the hope of the world, isn’t lost

I speak my mind quite freely

Now, really