A 1918 popular song suggested by Peter Masri.
Words by J. E. Dempsey.
Music by Joseph A. Burke.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- A mother’s last words to ev’ry soldier
“Kneel down at night and say your prayers”
But he’s so weary, thro’ days so dreary
After all his trials and cares
Don’t worry mother, he serves his Maker
When he serves his country’s needs
No matter where each act is a pray’r
And they form the links upon a soldier’s beads
Chorus
For his thoughts keep turning homeward
And their pray’rs come drifting back
That’s his chaplet and his guide to victory
But bullets are his beads and on his knees he pleads
That each one will help to end the misery
Ev’ry shot a pearl, each pearl a pray’r
He fights untill he falls, “Lost in action”
Comes the message o’er the sea
And while the nation mourns his loss
His dear old mother bears the cross
That’s a soldier’s rosary
- When bells are tolling, our hearts consoling
We seek the chapel o’er the way
When cannons thunder would we, I wonder
Ever take the time to pray
The foe before him, no shelter o’er him
Over head the cold stars shine
His Maker knows as onward he goes
That his pray’r is better far than yours or mine
Sung here by Fred Feild: