From the 1900 comic opera “Foxy Quiller”.
Words by Harry B. Smith.
Music by Reginald de Koven.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
1. I sing of the blade, for brave men made
By all loyal hearts adored
The ballad I bring, trusty comrades to sing
To sing you
Is a song of the right good sword
Is a song of the right good sword
Some tell you that love, all else is above
But with them I do not hold
For I love best the sight of a saber bright
Ever flashing
In the hand of a soldier bold
In the hand of a soldier bold
‘Tis the sword, ’tis the sword, ’tis the flashing sword
That maketh the foeman reel
No music so grand, over sea or land
As the clashing of steel on steel
‘Tis the sword, ’tis the sword, ’tis the flashing sword
That faileth the soldier never
And so I sing a song of the sword
For glory shall last forever
2. The power of gold is often told
And the might of the crafty pen
They’re mighty I ween but the sabre so keen
The sabre
Is the weapon that’s made for men
Is the weapon that’s made for men
The love of a maid will wane and fade
The story is true of old
But a sword is true to the death of you
Ever flashing
‘Tis the pride of a soldier bold
‘Tis the love of a soldier bold
‘Tis the sword, ’tis the sword, ’tis the flashing sword
That maketh the foeman reel
No music so grand, over sea or land
As the clashing of steel on steel
‘Tis the sword, ’tis the sword, ’tis the flashing sword
That faileth the soldier never
And so I sing a song of the sword
For glory shall last forever
I sing the song of the sword
With a cling and a clash, and a clang