Shaking Hands (soldier's Joy) Lyrics - Michelle Shocked

Shaking hands and fingers that do tremble 

Soldier's joy has been a bitter pill 

Though in battle a brave man I resemble 

Alone, I am a coward without will 

Here's McGee from the great state of Missouri 

To the Show-Me State Militia I belong 

And to judge from the pride on the Confederate side 

I'd say five hundred thousand rebels can't be wrong 

A rebel stand is no place for a traitor 

A loveless union cannot bend us to her will 

Cannot command the soldiers who now hate her 

Nor demand a bounty of her generals 

I took a rifle ball in my shoulder 

But my entire body filled with pain 

I waited with them all at the field hospital 

Oh God, another shot of morphine 

Soldier's joy, oh, what's the point in pleasure 

When it's only meant to kill the pain? 

Lay down my arms and take the coffin's measure 

Or take up arms and send me out to fight again 

Shaking hands, was I a coward, was I brave? 

Shaking hands, I took the bitter pill 

Tell the story on my grave, my soul they could not save 

What the bullet could not kill, the needle will