Decoration Day. LEEP, comrades, sleep! We are watching o'er your clay, When from home you marched away Sleep, comrades, sleep. Of the days we now are thinking, When with us you all unshrinking Thought to weld the chain, unlinking, Through our native land. Sleep, comrades, sleep! 'Tis the toilsome march we view, When with gun and knapsack, too, 136 DECORATION DAY. Many miles we marched with you, Sleep, comrades, sleep! 'Tis the foe we now behold Sleep, comrades, sleep! Now we hear the cannon's roar! Now we see the deadly charge, As we did in days of yore, When our land was drenched with gore! Sleep, comrades, sleep: Now we see the panting steed, Bear his gallant rider where Naught but death could claim a part, Where deadly missiles filled the air! Sleep, comrades, sleep! To save our country dear, We saw your bleeding form, Of solid shot and shell! Sleep, comrades, sleep! When the smoke had passed away, And darkness stilled the battle's fray, Then we placed your lifeless clay, Beneath the valley's sod. Sleep, comrades, sleep! A few short years this earth we'll trod, Then we will enter through, At his command, pass under the rod, And be welcomed there by you! Ode. E come, we come, a loyal band, 'We'll join in heart, we'll join in hand, From east to west, from north to south, To keep the declaration! The soldiers in the battles, fierce, Gave up their homes, their lives, their all, To save the declaration! And when we know this day was won The stars and stripes that urged them on And when we meet beside their graves, For sacred consecration, Though they are dead, their deeds will say, We'll not forget that sacred bell, And as the years do swiftly fly, And freedom's birthday draweth nigh, We'll raise the anthem to the sky, And hail the declaration! And when that glorious day does dawn |