The lyrics lament the sacrifices that men and women make in going off to war.
[1] This folk song was popular throughout the American Revolutionary War.
[2][3] The song is heard several times in Ken Burns's 1989 documentary film The Civil War.
It is performed by pianist Jacqueline Schwab and recorder player Jesse Carr.
The tune is also sung by actor John Tams' character Hagman in the 1995 TV movie Sharpe's Battle.