Old John Brown left Kansas Before the blood had dried And as he rode his head did shine Like the sun in mid July In a tiny farm house By Brunswick B & O He warmed his boots by the fireplace And read aloud from Samuel David rose to lead the Philistines With five smooth stones and a sling One October morning His army did approach The armory that sat between The Potomac and Shenandoah The engine house flung open With report of several guns When it was done he looked upon The bodies of his dying sons David rose to lead the Philistines With five smooth stones and a sling Throughout our history there are those ghosts Compelled to illustrate our dreads and hopes Victors hang in pictures, losers from ropes Regardless, they all swing in the same boat In South Hampton county 'round 1831 Nat Turner prayed, and the corn stalks swayed A voice rose up And his ax was raised In the planter's big house They went from room to room When it was done they rode along To liberate Jerusalem David rose to lead the Philistines With five smooth stones and a sling