He came marching out of Arkansas with his ragged eight brigades.
With Shelby, Fagan, Marmaduke and the Swamp Fox, Thompson, too
He thought he'd take St. Louis from the Union boys in blue.
On his good grey horse, Bucephalus, Price led Missouri's sons
Through Fredericktown to Pilot Knob and grim Fort Davidson.
But there that devil, Ewing, made the rebel soldiers pay,
And Price lost 1500 men before he rode away.
Chorus
So boys answer when we call; make our legions strong.Knights of the Golden Circle come and join the Rebel throng.
We'll raise the banner high once more and give the rebel yell;
Come follow us to victory or march with us through hell.
Battered but not beaten Price was forced to change his plans,
He turned west toward Jeff City thinking there he'd make his stand.
But Pleasonton was after him, so Price kept moving on
Through Boonville, Glasgow, Marshall and on up to Lexington.
He marched toward Independence and he crossed the Little Blue,
Outflanking Blunt and Jennison and Colonel Moonlight, too.
But ahead of him was Curtis and behind was Pleasonton,
And Price was now outnumbered by more than two to one.
Chorus
So boys answer when we call; make our legions strong.
Knights of the Golden Circle come and join the Rebel throng.
We'll raise the banner high once more and give the rebel yell;
Come follow us to victory or march with us through hell.
The days were turning colder and the trees were all aflame
When the last fierce fatal battle just outside of Westport came.
At Brush Creek and at Byram's Ford brave soldiers fought and died,
But the Union's greater numbers finally turned the bloody tide.
So Price limped south toward Texas and now all could sense the fate,
Not only of Missouri but of all the Southern States.
The war would soon be over, all the fighting would be done,
And Lincoln's cause of liberty would finally be won.
Chorus
So boys answer when we call; make our legions strong.
Knights of the Golden Circle come and join the Rebel throng.
We'll raise the banner high once more and give the rebel yell;
Come follow us to victory or march with us through hell.
