Classic Poem

In the year eighteen hundred sixty-one
Our last rebellion it begun;
It was a hard and bloody fight,
It lasted four years day and night.

We know that battle must be fought,
Cruel war, how sad the thought;
For men must go and risk their lives
And leave their children and their wives.

Fathers and mothers frail and gray
Must bid their sons farewell;
Today their blood runs hot through their vein
As they vow they will avenge the Maine.

America's blood is raised at last,
The cup is bitter but cannot pass,
Fight, and honor your father's name,
Cuba's freedom to obtain.

Spain sent two ships into our port,
We let them come and go unhurt;
But when we sent our ship, the Maine,
They sunk her, never to rise again.

Twilight hours began to creep,
Our soldier lads were fast asleep,
Spain's friends they worked a hellish plan
And took the life of many a man.

They were cut down in innocence there,
They had no time to say a prayer;
But we do hope that God will save,
Though their bodies lie in a watery grave.

We all should praise with much ado,
Our American soldiers, brave and true,
Fight on, brave lads, and do what's right,
We're sure you will conquer in the fight.

The chilly waters must be crossed,
And many poor souls may be lost;
And there they must forgotten lay,
Until the great Judgment day.