| E | B | E | |
| While the shot a | nd shells were scattering |
| B | E | |
| All o'er the battl | efield |
| A | E | |
| While the boys in | France were fighting |
| B | E | |
| To sa | ve their noble flag |
| Save their flag or give their lives |
| All for their country and home |
| They brought him back and heard him say |
| I can no longer stay |
| Go take the news to Mother |
| For she knows how well I love her |
| Kiss her dear sweet lips for me |
| Tell her I'm not coming home |
| Oh tell my darling sweetheart |
| That her lips I'll kiss no more |
| For this battlefield is awful |
| I'm sure I'll see her no more |
| Now, I'd love to see my mother |
| Kneeling by the old hearth stone |
| But I'm in this hell right here on earth |
| And her prayer I'll hear no more |
| Go take the news to Mother |
| For she knows how well I love her |
| Kiss her dear sweet lips for me |
| Mmmm, Mmmm, Mmmmmm |
| B | E | |
| Tell her I'm not coming home |