The Girl I Left Behind Me

The hour was sad, I left the maid
A lingering farewell taking
Her sighs and tears, her steps delayed
I thought her heart was breaking
In hurried words, her name I blessed
I breathed the vows that bind me
And to my heart in anguish pressed
The girl I left behind me
Then to the south we bore away
To win a name in story
And there where dawns the sun of day
There dawned our sun of glory
Both blazed in noon on freedom’s height
Where in the post assigned me
I shared the glory of that fight
Sweet girl I left behind me
Full many a name our banners bore
Of former deeds of daring
But they were days of seventy six
In which we had no sharing
But now our laurels freshly won
With the old ones shall entwine thee
Still worthy of our sires, each son
Sweet girl I left behind me
The hope of final victory
Within my bosom burning
Is mingling with sweet thoughts of thee
And of my fond returning
But should I ne’er return again
Still worth thy love thou’t find me
Dishonors breath shall never stain
The name I left behind me