Dearest Sarah
I'm compelled to write with aching fearful hands
Just in case I never make it back
I left our family weeks ago for battle-stricken lands
And I fear I won't survive the next attack
I fled Rhode Island willingly to join the Union force
Understanding I may never know my boys
But this country's strength of government is in a great divorce
And for this I risk my life and all its joys
Oh, Sarah, I do understand within my sacrifice
Goes nearly every joy for you as well
But I hope you sense within my words
I thought about it twice
But our nation casts a thick momentous spell

Oh, Sarah, start a life without me
Raise our boys to gentlemen
Thrive until the day you pass away and we can meet again
Understand my inner fight
I didn't choose the war
I sided with democracy
Yes that is what I'm dying for
Oh, Sarah, my love for you is deathless
Oh, Sarah, my love for you is deathless

Growing up without my father weighed heavy on my brain
And I dread this makes my children dance that waltz
And I'm sure at times your trust was breached
And your love for me did wane
But I ask you to forgive me for these faults
And I can't express the irony of the peaceful summer breeze
Dusting my battalion as they rest
Cause within this evening's warmness lies a dark and icy freeze
That whispered me to send you this request
Oh, Sarah, start a life without me
Raise our boys to gentlemen
Thrive until the day you pass away and we can meet again
Understand my inner fight
I didn't choose the war
I sided with democracy
Yes that is what I'm dying for
Oh, Sarah, but my love for you is deathless
Oh, Sarah, it's deathless

I am one of hundred thousand paying all that we can pay
Standing for an object we can't see
Now raise our children proudly to be gracious for each day
And remind them of the reasons they are free
If it's true the dead can drift unseen around the loves they had
Then I will be the wind upon your cheek
And the darkest moments in your life will never be so bad
Cause I will be your strength when you are weak

Oh, Sarah, start a life without me
Raise our boys to gentlemen
Thrive until the day you pass away and we can meet again
Understand my inner fight
I didn't choose the war
I sided with democracy
Yes that is what I'm dying for
Oh, Sarah, but my love for you is deathless
Oh, Sarah, my love for you is deathless
Oh, Sarah, my love for you is deathless
Oh, Sarah, my love for you is deathless