Libby Prison

Air -- "The Soldier's Orphan Boy" Down south the Libby prison stood, The rebel's filthy den; Rebs in battle prisoners took -- Of course our union men. And our brave boys, hearty and hale, To prison had to go, And few have lived to tell the tale Of misery and woe. This prison was a horrid place, Many brave boys died there, In rags and filth and wretchedness, They died for want of care. Many a brave and noble man, As he lay sick and sore, Was thinking of his friends and home He never would see more. Fathers, brothers, young husbands dear Went through that prison door -- Some lived to return home, we hear, And others are no more. Many a noble soldier died In Libby prison cell, And comrades perish'd side by side, As many a man can tell. No loving hand was near a couch To bathe an aching head -- No loving friend to watch the hours, Or soothe their dying bed; No friend to wipe the fallen tears From off the dewy face -- No loving kindred was there near To mark their resting place.