Billy Green

G Am D G Attend you all good countrymen, my name is Billy Green Am D And I will tell of things I did when I was just nineteen G Am D I helped defeat the Yank invader, there can be no doubt Am C D G Yet lately men forget the name of Billy Green, the Scout. Am D G ‘Twas on a Sunday morn’ in June when first we heard the sound Am D Three thousand Yankees on the road to camp below Greentown G Am D Two Generals, Artillery and Company of horse Am C D G With many rank and file afoot, they were a mighty force. Am D G Says I to brother Levi, “Well, we still can have some fun! Am D We'll creep and whoop like Indians to try to make them run!” G Am D Which then we did both loud and long, much to the Yanks’ dismay Am C D G They fired their pop-gun muskets once and then they ran away! Am D G Well, first they plundered Stoney Creek and then John Gage’s farm Am D They cut his fences for their fires although the day was warm G Am D They bound my brother Isaac up and took him from his home; Am C D G They pillaged all the countryside, no mercy there was shown. Am D G Then says I to myself, “Now Billy, this will never do Am D Those scurvy Yanks are not the match for Loyalists like you” G Am D My brother's horse I quickly caught and put him to a run Am C D G And reached the British camp upon the heights of Burlington. Am D G Says I to Colonel Harvey, “Now, let there be no delay Am D If we're to reach the Yankee camp before the break of day G Am D I'll take you through the woods by night where I know every tree Am C D G And ere the dawn you surely can surprise the enemy” Am D G With men and guns we then set forth the enemy to seek Am D Across the beach at Burlington and then to Red Hill Creek; G Am D We came upon their sentries; we surprised them every one Am C D G One died upon my sword, and all the others off they run Am D G And so it was we were in place one hour before dawn Am D We fired three times upon the camp and then we marched along G Am D We fired again and charged as Colonel Harvey gave the word Am C D G And put the enemy to fight with bayonet and sword! Am D G With great confusion in the camp, two Generals were caught Am D The Colonel and his men made their artillery as naught G Am D We killed over two hundred and we captured all the rest; Am C D G Nor did we lose but eighty men; of them we had the best. Am D G And so it was I played the man though I was but nineteen Am D I led our forces through the night that this land would be free G Am D I foiled the Yank invaders and I helped put them to route Am C D G So, let no man forget the name of Billy Green, the Scout! Am D D Am G Optional last note single strum