When the Master Calls the Roll

Album: The River & the Thread (2014)
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  • 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 riffle 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 Writer/s: JOHN LEVENTHAL, RODNEY CROWELL, ROSEANNE CASH
    Publisher: CONCORD MUSIC PUBLISHING LLC, Downtown Music Publishing, Hipgnosis Songs Group
    Lyrics licensed and provided by LyricFind

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