Have you heard many a story Told by old and young with joy About the faithful deed of daring That was done by the Laughlin boy? That was done by the Laughlin boy? (Chorus) Listen to me children, well I wouldn't tell a lie Listen to me children, well I wouldn't tell a lie That Laughlin boy was a boy of honor And he loved Virginia well But he would not fire a rifle So he sat in a cold jail cell So he sat in a cold jail cell He was pierced and he was beaten Forty stripes he gladly bore But he would not serve the Devil In that awful Civil War In that awful Civil War Chorus Twelve grey soldiers stood before him And they aimed their rifles true He prayed, "Lord, O please forgive them For they know not what they do For they know not what they do" Those young soldiers would not fire They defied the General's plan So the Army changed his sentence Who could murder such a man? Who could murder such a man? Chorus They hauled him far away to richmond Far away from his kids and wife There, pneumonia wracked his body That good man soon lost his life That good man soon lost his life Now his wife is sadly weeping Seven children wonder why Lord, it seems that truth and honor Sure can come at an awful price Sure can come at an awful price Chorus Have you heard many a story Told by old and young with joy About the faithful deed of daring That was done by the Laughlin boy? That was done by the Laughlin boy? y