The Soldier's Last Request

The rain was slowly falling
On a bloody battlefield,
A fair-haired youth lay dying,
By darkness half concealed;
We found life ebbing slowly,
He was far too weak to stand,
A portrait and a letter,
Clutch'd tightly in his hand.
We struggled hard to save him,
We tried to do our best,
But we had only time to hear
The soldier's last request:

Tell her, tho' wounded and dying,
Still I held her image dear,
Tell her, I lov'd  her truly,
And that I knew no fear.
Quick! for I feel I am going,
One more look, ere I die,
At her sweet face; God bless her!
and now, good-bye, good-bye.

In death's embrace we left him,
'Midst heroes cruelly slain.
And turn'd our weary footsteps
T'wards dear old home again;
A sweet girl laughing gayly,
Ran to greet us as we came,
A look, we gave the portrait,
And knew it was the same.
With heavy hearts and sorrow,
Within each manly breast,
We told her our sad story,
The soldier's last request:

Tell her, tho' wounded and dying,
Still I held her image dear,
Tell her, I lov'd her truly,
And that I knew no fear.
Quick! for I feel I am going,
One more look, ere I die,
At her sweet face; God bless her!
and now, good-bye, good-bye.