The Why And The Wherefore

Where, where, where, and where
And where are you bound young man?
I'm off to the war with the good men and crew
And hadn't you better come along too?
I speak my mind quite freely, now really

Why, why, why, and why
And why to the war young man?
Did a man ever fight for a holier cause
Than freedom and flag and equal laws?
Just speak your mind quite freely, now really

Which, which, which, and which
And which is the flag of the free?
Oh Washington's flag with the stripes and the stars
Will you give such a name to the things with the bars?
I speak my mind quite freely, now really

Who, who, who, and who
And who goes with you to the war?
Ten thousand brave lads
And if they should stay here
The girls would cry shame
and they'd volunteer
They speak their mind quite freely, now really

When, when, when, and when
And when, do you mean to come back?
When rebellion is crushed, and the union restored
And freedom is safe then please the lord
I speak my mind quite freely, now really