Shaking Hands Lyrics

                Michelle Shocked
             (Poly Gram Songs, Inc)


Shaking hands and fingers that do tremble 
Soldier's joy has been a bitter pill 
Though in battle a brave man I resemble 
Alone I am a coward without will  

Here's McGee from the great state of Missouri 
To the Show-Me State Militia I belong 
And to judge from the  pride on the Confederate side 
I'd say five hundred thousand rebels can't be wrong 

A rebel stand is no place for a traitor 
A loveless union cannot bend us to her will 
Cannot command the soldiers who now hate her 
Nor demand a bounty of her generals  

I took a rifle ball in my shoulder 
But my entire body filled with pain 
I waited with them all at the field hospital 
Oh God, another shot of morphine  

Soldier's joy, oh what's the point in pleasure 
When it's only meant to kill the pain 
Lay down my arms and take the coffin's measure 
Or take up arms and send me out to fight again  

Shaking hands -- Was I a coward, was I brave? 
Shaking hands -- I took the bitter pill 
Tell the story on my grave, my soul they could not save 
What the bullet could not kill, the needle will