Long Ago

Long ago we were boys in the ranks, comrades
Our hearts light and happy as the day
Cheeks were ruddy, eyes were bright, locks were dark
Comrades
As we marched from our homes far away
But now we are aged and gray, comrades
Trials of life are nearly done
Our bosoms were bared to the foe, comrade
When you and I were young
Long ago we were marching away, comrades
Our flags to the breeze gaily flung
Our bosoms were bare to the full, comrades
When you and I were young
But now we are aged and gray, comrades
Trials of life are nearly done
Our bosoms were bared to the foe, comrade
When you and I were young
Long ago we were camping in storms, comrades
Our courage and muscles tightly strung
But no army could drive us away, comrades
When you and I were young
But now we are aged and gray, comrades
Trials of life are nearly done
Our bosoms were bared to the foe, comrade
When you and I were young
Long ago we were falling fast, comrades
Our ranks daily much thinner grew
Our courage the cause could not win, comrades
When the men in the ranks were so few
But now we are aged and gray, comrades
Trials of life are nearly done
Our bosoms were bared to the foe, comrade
When you and I were young
Staggering and bleeding alone, comrades
Outnumbered three to one everywhere
The world coldly watching our fates, comrades
With not even a sigh or a tear
But now we are aged and gray, comrades
Trials of life are nearly done
Our bosoms were bared to the foe, comrade
When you and I were young
As fall heroes struggling for their homes, comrades
So fell the soldiers in gray
Their honor yet unsullied, comrades
For that which ennobles brave men
Though now we are aged and gray, comrades
And trials of life are nearly done
To us life’s as dear as it was, comrades
When you and I were young