here i sit on buttermilk hill
weep i will and weep my fill
every tear would turn a mill
johnny is gone for a soldier
sell my only spinnin' wheel
johnny's gone for a soldier
broke my heart to see him go
only time can heal my woe
johnny's gone for a soldier
i sold my flax and my meal
sold my only spinnin' wheel
now he's dead upon the field
johnny's gone for a soldier