Oh, Fremont he told them when the war it first begun
How to save the Union and the way it should be done
But Kentucky swore so hard and Old Abe he had his fears
Till ev'ry hope was lost but the colored volunteers
Chorus
Oh, give us a flag
All free without a slave;
We'll fight to defend it as our fathers did so brave;
The gallant Comp'ny "A"
Will make the rebels dance
And we'll stand by the Union if we only have a chance
McClellan went to Richmond with two hundred thousand brave;
He said, "Keep back the n***ers" and the Union he would save;
Little Mac he had his way, still the Union is in tears
Now they call for the help of the colored volunteers
Chorus
Old Jeff says he'll hang us if we dare to meet him armed
A very big thing , but we are not at all alarmed;
For he first has got to catch us before the way is clear
And that is "what's the matter" with the colored volunteer
Chorus
So rally, boys, rally, let us never mind the past;
We had a hard road to travel, but our day is coming fast;
For God is for the right, and we have no need to fear
The Union must be saved by the colored volunteer
Chorus
Then here is to the 54th, which has been nobly tried
They were willing, they were ready, with their bayonets by their side
Colonel Shaw led them on and he had no cause to fear
About the courage of the colored volunteer
Chorus