OLD soldiers true, ah, them all men can trust,
Who
fought, with conscience clear, on either side;
Who
bearded Death and thought their cause was just;
Their
stainless honor cannot be denied;
All patriots they
beyond the farthest doubt;
Ring it and sing it up and
down the land,
And let no voice dare answer it with
sneers,
Or shut its meaning out;
Ring it and sing it,
we go hand in hand,
Old infantry, old cavalry, old
cannoneers.
And if Virginia's vales shall ring again
To battle-yell of Moseby or Mahone,
If Wilder's wild
brigade or Morgan's men
Once more wheel into line; or all
alone
A Sheridan shall ride, a Cleburne fall,�
There
will not be two flags above them flying,
But both in one,
welded in that pure flame
Upflaring in us all,
When kindred unto kindred, loudly crying,
Rally and cheer
in freedom's holy name! |
