"Shaking Hands"
by Michelle Shocked
Arkansas Traveler (Mercury 1992)
[Verse 1]
Dm
Shaking hands and fingers that do tremble,
Soldier's Joy has been a bitter pill.
G Dm
Though in battle, a brave man I resemble,
A7 Dm
Alone I am a coward without will.
[Verse 2]
Dm
Pierce McGee from the great State of Missouri,
To the Show-Me-State militia I belong.
G Dm
And to judge from the pride on the Confederate side,
A7 Dm
I'd say five hundred thousand rebels can't be wrong.
[Verse 3]
Dm
A rebel stand is no place for a traitor.
A loveless Union cannot bend us to her will.
G Dm
Cannot command the soldiers who now hate her,
A7 Dm
Nor demand the fealty of her generals.
[Verse 4]
Dm
I took a rifle ball in my shoulder,
But my entire body filled with pain.
G Dm
I pleaded with them all at the field hospital:
A7 Dm
"Oh, God, another shot of morphine!"
[Verse 5]
Dm
Soldier's Joy, oh what's the point in pleasure?
When it's only meant to kill the pain?
G Dm
Lay down my arms and take the coffin's measure?
A7 Dm
Or take up arms and send me out to fight again?
[Verse 6]
Dm
Shaking hands ..was I a coward, was I brave?
With shaking hands, I took the bitter pill.
G Dm
Now tell the story on my grave, my soul they could not save,
A7 Dm
What the bullet would not kill, the needle will!