A stone's throw from our back door
were all the worlds we would explore.
Through the Virginia countryside
were all the kings and armored guards.
We fought and conquered every one
until the sunset brought us home.

In our beds all tucked away
we whispered ‘til she came
to read to us of knights and kings
by the open flame.

It seemed like only yesterday
when all these fears were gone away.
Now the sky is black with smoke
the sun blocked overhead.

My brother fell in her Bloody Lane
now I am alone.
I buried him by the dusty moonlight
more than a hundred miles from home.

I lay in my heart a prayer for our mother
who will turn from the truth when this day is done.
The lives and laughter of her two sons are gone,
leaving only memories and dreams to haunt her.

A creaking saddle in a field of haze
came to shake the early day.
The air is filled with the cries of men,
who lie in their final resting beds.

One last charge is all that’s left
for this failing Southern son.
To this grave in fields of blue
I take my honor and my pride

The Lords sweet grace and his eternal freedom
will be given to me in the rising sun
a stone's throw away in battle at Antietam.

I live only 15 miles from the Antietam National Battlefield. On September 13, 2002 we will celebrate the 140th commemorative reenactment of the Battle of Antietam. Over 23,000 people died there. It was the bloodiest battle during the Civil War.