“Josephine”

“Josephine” By Rory Feek Joey + Rory Feek were an American country and bluegrass duo composed of singer-songwriters Rory Feek and Joey Feek , who were husband and wife. Both members of the duo were vocalists and songwriters, with Rory also playing acoustic guitar. The duo was the third-place finalist on CMT's competition Can You Duet in 2008. The duo recorded eight studio albums for Vanguard Records and Gaither Music Group and charted three singles on Hot Country Songs. Unfortunately Joey passed away of cancer in 2016 leaving a two year old little girl.
Rory found a series of letters in the farm house they purchased in Columbia, TN. written by John Robison, a U.S. Civil War Confederate Soldier, to his wife back in Tennessee. While reading the letters, Rorys' heart was touched and he was inspired to write the song “Josephine”. Rory and Joey later recorded the song for their 2012 album “His and Hers” The lyrics and music video of the song inspired the making of a full movie with the same name.                                           

I'm writin' this letter, my darlin', from high on the hill
We've been marching ten days and we're just outside Hopkinsville
It's been snowing all night and we ain't got no more kerosene
It's colder than hell, hope you're doing well Josephine
There's a fever in camp and our boys are too sick to fight
We done lost old Calvin, Weaver won't make it through the night
I overheard the captain say, it's the worst he's ever seen
I'm losing some weight, but I'm still standing up straight Josephine
Tell my children I miss 'em and wish I could kiss 'em once more
Bet they've growed a foot since they waved me goodbye at the door
Tell Mama and Daddy, I'm all right and just one more thing
I love you, I love you, I love you, Josephine
There's three thousand Union troops camped at the river below
Six hundred of us, at least there was two nights ago
Will Irwin deserted and they hung him down by the stream
Good God, I'm so scared, keep me in your prayers, Josephine
Well the orders came down, we attack tonight at nightfall
If we can stop them right here, we can win this war once and for all
You know, I killed a Union boy last week, I bet he wasn't fourteen
He looked just like our son, forgive me for what I've done, Josephine
Tell my children I miss 'em and wish I could kiss 'em once more
Bet they've growed a foot since they waved me goodbye at the door
Tell Mama and Daddy I'm all right and just one more thing
I love you, I love you, I love you, Josephine
And lastly, my darling, in case I should be killed
Don't grieve me too long, promise me that you will
Marry another and don't let him treat our babies mean
And when he's holding you, won't you think of me too, Josephine?
Tell my babies I miss 'em and wish I could kiss 'em once more
Bet they've growed a foot since they waved me goodbye at the door
Tell Mama and Daddy I'm all right and just one more thing
I love you, I love you, I love you, Josephine
I love you, I love you, I love you, Josephine