John Williamson Palmer, physician, playwright, poet, and newspaper corespondent, wrote this poem during the Battle of Antietam in September of 1862. The poem was quickly put to music by an unknown composer and sung by Jackson's men during the remaining 8 months of Jackson's life. Lyrics: Come, stack arms, men. Pile on the rails, Stir up the campfire bright; No matter if the canteen fails, We'll make a roaring night. Here Shenandoah brawls along, There Burly Blue Ridge echos strong To swell the brigade's rousing song Of "Stonewall Jackson's way." We see him now - the old slouched hat Cock o'er his eyes askew - The shrewd, dry smile, - the speech so pat - So calm, so blunt, so true. That "Blue-Light Elder" knows 'em well - Says he, "That's Banks, he's fond of shell - Lord save his soul!" We'll give him."...well, That's Stonewall Jackson's way." Silence! Ground arms! Kneel all! Caps off! Old Blue Light's going to pray; Strange the fool that dares to scoff; Attention; it's his way! Appealing from his native sod, In forma pauperis to God - "Lay bare thine arm; stretch forth thy rod; Amen. That's Stonewall's way." He's in the saddle now! Fall in! Steady, the whole brigade! Hill's at the ford, cut off! He'll win His way out ball and blade. What matter if our shoes are torn? What matter if our fett are torn? "Quick step - we're with him ere the dawn!" That's "Stonewall Jackson's way." The sun's bright glances rout the mists Of morning, and, by George! There's Longstreet struggling in the lists, Hemmed in an ugly gorge - Pope and his Yankees whipped before - "Bayonet and grape!" hear stonewall roar, "Charge, Stuart!" Pay off Ashby's score In "Stonewall's way." Ah, maiden! wait and watch and yearn For news of Stonewall's band! Ah, widow! read with eyes that burn That ring upon thy hand! Ah, wife! sew on, pray on, hope on Thy life shall not be all forlorn - The foe had better ne'er been born, That gets in Stonewall's way.
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