When the Master Calls the Roll

Girl with hair of flaming red Seeking perfect lover For to lie down on her feather bed Soul secrets to uncover Must be gentle, must be strong With disposition sunny Just as faithful as the day is long And careful with his money And so the open letter read The news boy did deliver Three months later plans were made to wed Down by the King James river Know the season may come Know the season may go When love is joined together With whoever be made whole When the master calls the roll Oh my darlin' will you leave? Take me to the altar I don't have strength to watch you as you leave But my love will never faulter Oh my darlin' Marry Anne The march to war is calling Somewhere far across these southern lands The bands of brothers falling My tender bride, the tides demand That I leave you with your mother With my father's rifle in one hand Your locket in the other Know the season may come Know the season may go Beware the storm clouds gather Take heat in warm of soul When the master calls the roll But can this union be preserved? The soldier boy was crying I will never travel back to her But not for lack of trying It's a love of one true heart at last That made the boy a hero But a rifle ball and a cannon blast Cut him down to zero Oh Virginia once I came I'll see you when I'm younger And I'll know you by your hills again This town from 6 feet under Know the season may come Know the season may go One man is torn asunder But someday we may know When the master calls the roll Though the storm clouds gather Let the union be made whole When the master calls the roll