Girl with hair of flaming red 
Seeking perfect lover 
For to lie down on her feather bed 
Soul secrets to uncover 

Must be gentile, must be strong 
With disposition sunny 
Just as faithful as the day is long 
And careful with his money 

And so the open letter read 
The news boy did deliver 
Three months later plans were made to wed 
Down by the King James river 

Know the season may come 
Know the season may go 
When love is joined together 
With whoever be made whole 
When the master calls the roll 

Oh my darling will you leave? 
Take me to the altar 
I don't have strength to watch you as you leave 
But my love will never fault her 
 
Oh my darling Marry Anne 
The march to war is calling 
Somewhere far across these southern lands 
The bands of brothers falling 

My tender bride, the tides demand 
That I leave you with your mother 
With my father's rifle in one hand 
Your locket in the other 

Know the season may come 
Know the season may go 
Beware the storm clouds gather 
Take heat in warm of soul 
When the master calls the roll 

But can this union be preserved? 
The soldier boy was crying 
I will never travel back to her 
But not for lack of trying 

It's a love of one true heart at last 
That made the boy a hero 
But a riffle ball and a cannon blast 
Cut him down to zero 

Oh Virginia once I came 
I'll see you when I'm younger 
And I'll know you by your hills again 
This town from 6 feet under 

Know the season may come 
Know the season may go 
A man is torn asunder 
But someday we may know 
When the master calls the roll 

Though the storm clouds gather 
Let the union be made whole 
When the master calls the roll