The Man Who Shot John Wilkes Booth
 

Take him alive, the order came

But a soldier fired just the same

From behind a cracked barn door

And John Wilkes Booth dropped to the floor

"Who took that shot against command?"

And Boston Corbett raised his hand

"Captain, I don't need consent

To avenge the president."

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When will we learn the truth

Of the man who shot John Wilkes Booth

​

His arrest made front page news

A nation mourning, left confused

The Army said the courts decide

Let him go, the public cried

When he went free he marched on down

Into the street a hero crowned

But there was still more to unfold

A story that was yet untold

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How will we know the truth

Of the man who shot John Wilkes Booth

​

He worked in a factory

Making hats with mercury

Is there where it all went bad

Did the poison drive him mad

In later years, a judege would say

Have Boston Corbett locked away

With the verdict he was found

To be insane, asylum bound

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Where will we find the truth

Of the man who shot John Wilkes Booth

​

But when the gurads were all in bed

He climbed on a horse and fled

Silently rode out of sight

And disappeared into the night

Did he go south to Mexico

Or up north, they'd never know

'Cause he had fought his last campaign

And was never seen again

Ray Lambiase/vocal, acoustic guitar

Lanny Sichel/acoustic guitar

Tony Montalbo/fiddle

Kevin Kelly/bass

Kate Corrigan/vocals

Kirsten Maxwell/vocals