Introduction
“Josephine” is a poignant song by the country duo Joey + Rory, featured on their 2012 album His and Hers. The track draws inspiration from authentic Civil War-era letters penned by Confederate soldier John Robison to his wife, Josephine. While researching the history of their 1870s farmhouse in Maury County, Tennessee, Rory Feek discovered these heartfelt correspondences. Moved by the depth of emotion and poetic expressions within the letters, Rory crafted the song to encapsulate the longing and devotion experienced by the separated couple during tumultuous times.
The narrative of “Josephine” offers listeners a window into the personal struggles faced by families during the Civil War, emphasizing themes of love, sacrifice, and the human cost of conflict. The song’s evocative lyrics and heartfelt delivery resonate deeply, bridging historical events with contemporary emotions.
The impact of “Josephine” extended beyond the realm of music. The song inspired Rory Feek to co-write and direct a film titled Josephine, later released as Finding Josephine. The movie portrays the story of a young soldier’s wife who, in a desperate quest to find her missing husband, disguises herself as a man and enlists in the Confederate Army. Filmed in Halifax County, Virginia, in 2015, the film premiered at the 2016 Nashville Film Festival, where it won the Grand Jury Prize for Tennessee First Feature. It was subsequently released nationwide in 2019.
“Josephine” stands as a testament to Joey + Rory’s ability to weave historical narratives into their music, creating timeless pieces that honor the past while resonating with present-day audiences.
Video
Lyrics
I’m writing this letter, my darling, from high on the hill
We’ve been marching ten days and we’re just outside Hopkinsville
It’s been snowing all night and we ain’t got no more kerosene
It’s colder than hell, hope you’re doin’ well, Josephine
There’s a fever in camp and our boys are too sick to fight
We done lost old Calvin, Beaver won’t make it through the night
I hope I heard the captain say it’s the worst he’s ever seen
I’m losin’ some weight but I’m still standin’ up straight, Josephine
Tell my children I miss ’em and wish I could kiss ’em once more
Bet they’ve grown a foot since they waved me goodbye at the door
Tell mama and daddy I’m alright and just want one more thing
I love you, I love you, I love you, Josephine
There’s three thousand union troops camped at the river below
There’s six hundreds of us, least there was two nights ago
When Erwin deserted they hung him down by the tree
God I’m so scared, keep me in your prayers, Josephine
Well the orders come down, we’ll attack tonight at nightfall
If we can stop them right here we can win this war once and for all
You know, I killed a union boy last week, bet he wasn’t fourteen
He looked just like our son, forgive me for what I’ve done, Josephine
Tell my children I miss ’em and wish I could kiss ’em once more
Bet they’ve grown a foot since they waved me goodbye at the door
Tell mama and daddy I’m alright and just want one more thing
I love you, I love you, I love you, Josephine
And lastly my darling, in case I should be killed
Don’t breathe me too long, promise me that you will
Marry another, don’t let him treat our babies mean
When he’s holding you, would you think of me too, Josephine?
Tell my babies I miss ’em and wish I could kiss ’em once more
Bet they’ve grown a foot since they waved me goodbye at the door
Tell mama and daddy I’m alright and just want one more thing
I love you, I love you, I love you, Josephine
I love you, I love you, I love you, Josephine