The+Dying+Confederate's+Last+Words

The Dying Confederate's Last Words

Dear comrades on my brow the hand of death is cast,

My breath is growing short, all pain will soon be past;

My soul will soar away to that bright land of bliss,

Far from the pain and woe of such a world as this.

I left my home and friends to battle with the foe,

To save the Southern land from misery and woe;

I gave my life my all (oh! not to win a name,

Or have it e'en enrolled upon the scroll of fame.)

Not so, I only wished a helper brave to be

To save the glorious South from cruel tyranny;

My soul with ardor burned the treacherous foe to fight,

And take a noble stand for liberty and right.

But oh! how weak is man! It was not God's decree,

That I should longer live a helper brave to be,

Before another day I shall be with the dead,

And 'neath the grassy sod will be my lonely bed.

And should you see the friends that nurtured me in youth,

Tell them I tried to walk the ways of peace and truth;

O! tell my mother kind the words that she has given,

Have led her wayward child to Jesus and to heaven.

Farewell! farewell! my friends my loving comrades dear,

I ask you not to drop for me one bitter tear;

The angels sweetly stand and beckon me to come,

To that bright land of bliss that heavenly realm my home.

MARYLAND.