THE BIG BATTLE
(Johnny Cash)
Johnny Cash - 1961


I think sir the battle is over
And the young soldier laid down his gun
I'm tired of running for cover
I'm certain the bottle is done
For see over there where we fought them
It's quiet for they've all gone away
All left is the dead and the dying
The Blue laying 'long side the Gray

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
Now 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 deafening 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 McKenney
Can you take the news to his wife

No, Son, the battle's not over
The battle has only begun
The rest of the battle will cover
The part that has blackened the sun
The fight yet to come's not with cannon
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
Brother and sister and daughter
Will grieve for the rest of their lives
Now go ahead, 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
This part that has blackened the sun
For though 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 am I