Cassidy's Prayer Book

John Cassidy was Irish, he came here as a boy
Settled down in Pennsylvania back before the war
In 1861 in Philadelphia one day, he joined the Union Army looking for a steady pay

The Christian Soldier’s Manual was a book he often used
Got it from the Chaplin, January ‘62
And like his trusty rifle he kept it day and night
That little book of prayers gave John the strength to fight

Cassidy’s old prayer book seemed to let him know
The Lord was always with him no matter where he’d go
He kept it in the pocket closest to his heart
And it was with him till the end, just like an old friend

The Union won Antietam but paid a heavy cost
And somewhere on the battlefield that little book was lost
But after ten more months of fight’n a miracle occurred
His prayer book was returned as he left for Gettysburg

On cemetery ridge in July ‘63
Pickett’s charge began, ordered by General Lee
A rebel soldier’s slug soon found its deadly mark
It tore right through his prayer book and rested in his heart

Cassidy’s old prayer book seemed to let him know
The Lord was always with him no matter where he’d go
He kept it in the pocket closest to his heart
And it was with him till the end, just like an old friend

It was with him till the end, just like an old friend