This is my second post made on Kate Cumming, a native of Scotland and resident of Mobile, Alabama. Kate served throughout the war as a nurse attached to the Army of Tennessee. My friend and Celtic musician, Jed Marum, wrote another song about her that I often do in my own Civil War shows. I’ve included the lyrics here. This song is emotive, with a beautiful melody.  You can hear a sample of the song here:

Jed says this about Kate and the song: “Her dedication and sacrifice as a hospital nurse for the Confederates armies inspired me. Her diary is filled with her thoughts about helping so many young men prepare for death – and about being with them as they made that final passage. This song envisions her own final passage.”

Banks of the Mobile
© 2000 Jed Marum

Lay thee down, bonny lassie
Thy burden lay down
And we’ll sit by the Mobile
As her waters roll down

‘neath the shade of an Oak tree
I’ll sing you this song
And we’ll rest for the moment
For your journey’s been long

Now the time has long passed
When with love and with grace
You suffered the hardship
That few dared to face

And there’s many brave soldier
You helped on their way
Or returned to their families
The blue and the grey

CHO: Now it’s many have fallen
And long since their fall
We’ll recall every name
And embrace one an all
By the banks of the Mobile
I’ll sing you this song
And we’ll rest for the moment
For your journey’s been long

We were battle torn wounded
And the sick in your care
You nursed us with kindness
With song and with prayer

There’s a gift you once gave me
Those long years ago
And you stood by my bedside
’til I was ready to go

CHO

Here is a photo of Kate:

Here is a photo I took of her grave when I visited Mobile.