Sometime before my time, br There lived a man... br Full of adventure, br Who traveled the land. br br The war he was fighting in br Was hell on earth, br But he felt he had to fight it br Because of his birth. br br He, born South of the MasonDixon Line, br And it, pitting brother against brother, br Friends against friends, br Neighbors against one another. br br But he met an Irish lass, br With hair as black as coal br And eyes of lightning blue br Who touched his soul. br br And so he stayed with her, br But only for a while, br In fact, just long enough br To give her a child. br br And then he was gone again. br Like a puff of smoke, br Down the road he traveled, br Leaving her with a heart that broke. br br He was a Grandfather of mine, br A long, long time ago, br So I know the story is true, br Yes, I know it is so.