The Girl I Left Behind Me Lyrics

The hours sad, I left a maid
A lingering farewell taking
Whose sighs and tears my steps delayed
I thought her heart was breaking
In hurried words her name I blest
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 burns the sun of day
There dawned our sun of glory
In blazing noon or freezing night
When in the host assigned me
I shared the glory of that fight
Sweet girl I left behind me
Though many a name our banner bore
Of former deeds of daring
But they were of days of seventy-six
In which we had no sharing
But now our laurels freshly won
With the old ones shall entwine me
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 with thy love I'll bind me
Dishonor's breath shall never stain
The name I leave behind me

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