April 2025: Goin’ ’Cross the Mountain

Submitted by Phil Cooper

“Goin’ ’Cross the Mountain” is a song about a Union soldier volunteer leaving his home to join the army. It shows youthful enthusiasm (before he’s going to be confronted with harsh reality).


“Goin’ ’Cross the Mountain” has been passed along from Frank Proffitt’s family. Listen to Pete Seeger’s version, from his Live in ’65 album:

Lyrics

I’m goin’ across the mountain
Oh fare you well
Goin’ ’cross the mountain
You can hear my banjo tell

Got my rations on my back
My powder it is dry
Goin’ across the mountain
Oh Chrissy don’t you cry.

Goin’ across the mountain
To join the boys in blue
When this fightin’s over
I’ll come back to you.

Goin’ across the mountains
If I have to crawl
To give old Jeff’s men
A little of my rifle ball

’Spect you’ll miss me when I’m gone
But I’m goin’ through
When this fighting’s over
I’ll come back to you

Way before it’s good daylight
If nothing happens to me
I’ll be way down yonder
In old Tennessee

Phil Cooper writes: I am a guitar playing singer of mainly traditional songs. I also like a lot of unusual contemporary songs written in the folk style (I like clever word usage, regardless of its origins). Since 2007, I have been performing with my spouse, Susan Urban, as the duo February Sky. Previously, I performed with Margaret Nelson and Kate Early.