Well my name is John DeWitt
And I am a high school graduate
And I attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison
There's a girl out there for me
And her name is Susan Lee
She is going to marry me
And we'll start a family
But wait all the school is done
For the class of 1861
Now they're going to give me a gun
And send me to the South
They sent me to Camp Randall
And they trained me for a while
I learned to load a musket
And shoot it military style
They said, "Good lad! You're ready!"
And I kissed my girl good-bye
They sent me down to Charleston
Where I would surely die
All went fine and dandy
Til we hit the battlefield
The captain started shouting
And the men began to squeal
I thought I heard a cannon
And I looked around to see
The captain's parts were all spread out
And lying next to me
Allelujah, all the school is done
For the class of 1861
Now they're going to give me a gun
And send me to the South
The lieutenant took command
He ordered all of us, "Retreat!"
I just stood there staring
And he said, "Private move your feet!"
I turned around and ran
Until I thought my heart would burst
I collapsed and fell asleep
That was a day I'll always curse
When I awoke next morning
I did not know where I was
The morning sun was shining red
The insects they did buzz
I stood up and suddenly
Remembered what went on
I felt the ground, it was soft and damp
But looked just like the sun
Allelujah, there's a girl for me
And her name is Susan Lee
She is going to marry me
And we'll start a family
I served my country in this way
For two long bloody years
When I returned my girl was gone
Which answered all my fears
I did my duty and I lost
My one and only lass
No remorse for those who served in wars
They get kicked in the ass
Now I'm done complaining
Gonna live life to it's fullest
I've got an education now
My pen becomes the bullets
I'm gonna write a tune and call it,
"American Folk Song"
I really hope that when I play it
No one sings along
Allelujah, I'm John DeWitt
And I am a high school graduate
And I attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison
Allelujah, I'm John DeWitt
And I am a high school graduate
And I attend the University of Wisconsin-Madison
---
Lyrics submitted by Ken Fitzsimmons.