DECORATION DAY.

145

Nobly you fought beneath our flag,
Our nation, dear to save!

CHORUS

Rest, comrades, rest!
You fought, and bled, and died;

You did not return from the war,
But our hearts through life will

yearn For the boys who will come never more.

CHORUS

Rest, comrades, rest!
Some fell by the way while a marching,

And thousands were shot through the heart And thousands from dark rebel prisons From comrades were called to depart.

CHORUS

Rest, comrades, rest!
No more you'll hear the cannon's roar,

Nor the drum's redoubling beat,
Nor the order given for a deadly charge,
Nor join in a wild retreat.

CHORUS

Rest, comrades, rest!
We know that our comrades are happy;

They were faithful to country and God, But their names and their deeds will grow

brighter, Of our comrades under the sod.

CHORUS

Rest, comrades, rest!
They rest, but that curse it is ended,

And the dark sons of Africa are free;
They rest, but that glorious emblem
Proudly floats o'er the land of the free!

CHORUS

Rest, comrades, rest!
What you died to preserve we enjoy,

Though no marble may mark out the spot, Yet the place where you fell for our

country, By the nation will ne'er be forgot.

CHORUS

Oh! the Dead Were There!

WAY
way in the far sunny southland,

Were forms surpassing fair,
Encased in walls of ponderous size, -

But Oh! the dead were there!

CHORUS—What bound them in those pens so

vile,
The loyal sons of America,
They who were true as Washing-

ton?
'Twas accursed slavery!

There were kind and loving fathers,

A breaking in despair;

The tired and noble forms of youth

Were daily dying there.

CHORUS

While all around beneath our flag,

Was grain and viands rare, And within those rugged walls

The brave were starving there!

CHORUS

All hopes were crushed within their breast;

'Twas banishment and care, To hear the dying beg for bread,

And know the dead were there!

CHORUS

Outside 'twas mirth and the wine cup;

Within, a current of despair! For the hardened sons of earth

Cared not for the dead in there.

CHORUS

OH! THE DEAD WERE THERE.

149

But they'll shudder, start and tremble!

They'll wail in deep despair,
When they hear the words, "depart!
For those you slew in there!"

CHORUS