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 gentile, 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 darling will you leave? Take me to the altar I don't have strength to watch you as you leave But my love will never fault her Oh my darling 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 riffle 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 A 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