A Man Who Loved

In the hills of Old Virginia in 1824,
Thomas Jackson saw the light of day.
Death soon took the father and the mother of this child.
Thus bereaved he sought to make his way
The young cadet at West Point
Trained his mind to understand.
He served with courage down in Mexico.
Then he turned to teaching, while continuing to learn,
And serving Jesus, whom he'd come to know.

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He was a man who loved his country
And the things for which she stood.
He was a man who loved his family
As a faithful husband should.
He was a man who loved his duty
From which he could not resign.
He was a man who loved his God
And trusted in the Lord's design.

As clouds of war grew darker, he prayed that they would pass.
He did not seek division and discord.
Faced with the decision, he chose to guard his home.
Once again the warrior took his sword.
At Manassas his brigade was foremost in the fight
And like a stone wall firmly took a stand.
Marching fast and striking hard, he led his men to fame.
Jackson was a master of command.

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On the day of a great battle in May of '63,
Old Blue-light took his last ride without fear.
A tragic misperception brought the hero to the ground.
The time of his departure then drew near.
The general lost his left arm, and his wounds began to heal,
But sickness had crept through his weakened side.
His precious wife and infant daughter joined him at the last,
But after noon on Sunday Jackson died.

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