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 herid words, her name I blessed, I breathed the vows that bind me,And to my heart an 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, Wherein the post assigned me,I shared the glory of that bright, 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,Still worthy of our sires each sun, 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'lt find me,Dishonor's breath shall never stain, The name I left behind me.