Battle is joined
Musket and saber
Who'll be left standing
On the field of slaughter
Red hot lead
Cannonball shrapnel
Who'll be laid dead
At the grievin' chapel

Bayonets fixed
Eyes wide in hatin'
Gnashin' of teeth
Like in the hell of Satan
Rebel yells
Yankees shoutin' glory
Blood everywhere
And the creek is turnin' gory

Mine eyes saw fervor at Antietam
Mad dog murder at Antietam
Grapeshot workin' at Antietam
Red hot fervor at Antietam
Red hot fervor at Antietam

What kind of man
Could butcher another?
How can he face fire
And not duck for cover?
Well, I've seen the fever
And I've seen it pitched
I was there screaming
At Antietam ditch

I drew a bead
On a boy about my age
He was flying
In a fit of blind rage
I held my breath
For absolution
Then I blew him down
In a loud execution

Mine eyes saw fervor at Antietam
Mad dog murder at Antietam
Grapeshot workin' at Antietam
Red hot fervor at Antietam
Red hot fervor at Antietam