A tender ballad about a 1864 Civil War battlefield burial
words by Mrs. E.A.B. Mitchell
music by Chr. Mathias
Accompaniment by Benjamin R. Tubb:
Lyrics
- Bear gently, so gently, the roughly made bier
Perchance the freed spirit is hovering near
Then let these last tributes of tenderness prove
The truth of your homage, the depth of your love
Now halt by the graveside, the coffin lid raise
Once more on your comrade in mute sorrow gaze
How calmly he sleeps in his blanket all gore
His sword by his side, ah, he’ll need it no more
His sword by his side, ah, he’ll need it no more - Draw near ye, the truest, the freest from guile
And kiss the cold lips that will never more smile
For that dear mother’s sake, who will gratefully bless
From the damp clotted hair sever one precious tress
And then the lid softly, but firmly replace
Great God! there is one that to look on that face
And there by his side in that coffin to lie
Would willingly, cheerfully, happily die
Would willingly, cheerfully, happily die - Ay linger one moment in silence to pray
For those who will sorrow for him far away
For her who will read o’er the list of the lost
Alas what deep sorrow doth liberty cost!
But lower down carefully into the grave
The brother so kind and the soldier so brave
There, lay the turf lightly above his calm breast
And leave him with God until judgment to rest!
And leave him with God until judgment to rest! - And while o’er his form peals the loud booming gun
Remember that he hath his last battle won
Hath conquered the foe the bravest may dread
And the crown of the victor shall rest on his head
Then on unto battle undaunted again
Nor think ye one hero hath fallen in vain
The blood of each martyr cries loudly to God
And traitors shall bow ‘neath his almighty rod
And traitors shall bow ‘neath his almighty rod
Sung here by Fred Feild: