Rest Sweet Warrior

After the battles are over,

And the war drums cease to beat,

And no more is heard on the hillside

The sound of hurrying feet;

Full many a noble action,

That was done in the days of strife,

By the soldier is half forgotten,

In the peaceful walks of life.

 

Just as the tangled grasses,

In Summer's warmth and light,

Grow over the graves of the fallen

And hide them away from sight,

So many an act of valour,

And many a deed sublime,

Fade from the mind of the soldier,

O'ergrown by the grass of time.

 

Not so should they be rewarded,

Those noble deeds of old;

They should live for ever and ever,

When the heroes' hearts are cold.

Then rally, ye brave old comrades,

Old veterans, reunite!

Uproot Time's tangled grasses---

Live over the march, and the fight.

 

- Ella Wheeler Wilcox

Done