This is a tale about ol' johnny reb He said he'd fill blue coats full of southern lead His mockery uniform, his musket by his side He marched into battle, while his ma sat and cried One day johnny sat by a creek Upon him a yankee boy did creep With a big loud shot, a bullet hit his knee Said give me a medal from robert e. lee Johnny reb, johnny reb Should be on the farm, his folks all said Down in the green woods of ol' tennessee How happy ol' johnny reb could be Now the battle's over, johnny got sick Couldn't find a doctor to get to him real quick They burried him 'neath a mighty firm tree Just like the ones in the woods of tennessee Johnny reb, johnny reb Should be on the farm, his folks all said Down in the green woods of ol' tennessee How happy ol' johnny reb would be That was the tale 'bout ol' johnny reb Said he'd fill blue coats full of southern lead In his mockery uniform, johnny went and died 'neath that mighty firm tree his ma sat and cried Johnny reb, johnny reb Should be on the farm, his folks all said Down in the green woods of ol' tennessee How happy ol' johnny reb could be How happy ol' johnny reb could be How happy ol' johnny reb could be