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.