11. A Soldier's Life- McCue (WV) 1925
11 . A SOLDIER'S LIFE
(Sweet William)
Communicated by Miss Jessie McCue, Hookersville, Nicholas County, November 10, 1925. Music noted by Miss Lydia I. Hinkel.
[music]
Major, Ionian.
1. A soldier's life is a dreary life,
It robs poor girls of their hearts' delight,
It causes them to weep and mourn
For the love of a soldier never to return.
2. Dark was the color of my soldier's hair,
His eyes resembled the brightest star;
Oh, God, stand by him wherever he be,
And bring that loved one back to me.
It was scarce six weeks he took my hand,
And went to join his company band,
He pressed my hand and said goodbye,
"I am bound to my country, to live or die."
I heard my father call my name,
Saying, "Here is a letter for my Jane."
And the very first words that came to my eye,
Was that my soldier boy was a-going to die.
So off to the hospital I went with speed;
I was too later his life had fled:
Farewell, farewell to peace and joy,
Farewell, goodbye to my soldier boy.
I followed my soldier to the grave,
He laid him down with the true and the brave;
His battle o'er, he has gone to rest,
He calmly sleeps on his Savior's breast.
There is nothing in this world I love,
My hopes are placed on things above;
When God calls me I'll go with joy,
And there clasp hands with my soldier boy.
See OFS I 299.