I think sir the battle is over and a young soldier lay down his gun

I'm tired of running for cover, I'm certain the battle is done

For see over there where we fought them, it's quiet for they've all gone away

All's left is the dead and the dying, the blue lying 'long side the grey.

So you think the battle is over and you even lay down your gun

You carelessly rise from your cover, for you think the battle is done

But boy hit the dirt listen to me, for I'm still the one in command

Get flat on the ground here beside me and lay your ear hard to the sand

Can you hear the death-burning rumble, can you feel the trembling ground

It's not just the horses and wagons that make such a deafening sound

For every shot fired had an echo, and every man killed wanted life

There lies your friend Jim McKenny; can you take the news to his wife?

No son, the battles not over, the battle has only begun

The rest of the battle will cover the part that has blackened the sun

The fight's not to come yet with cannons, nor will the fight be hand-to-hand

No one will regroup the forces, no charge will a general command

The battle will rage in the bosom, of mother and sweetheart and wife

Brothers, sisters and daughters will grieve for the rest of their lives

Now go ahead and rise from your cover, be thankful that God let you live

Go fight the rest of the battle for those who gave all they could give

I see sir the battle's not over, the battle has only begun

The rest of the battle will cover the part that has darkened the sun

For there's no sound of the cannon and though there's no smoke in the sky

I'm dropping the gun and the sabre and ready for battle on high