Classic Poem

YOUR soldier boy is gone?
How fell he, comrade? In the van
Where Death struck swift from man to man!
Oh, aye, I know he fell
Where the red raiders yell;
Our soldier boy is gone!

Your soldier boy is gone!
It was but yesterday he went
A lad with your old regiment,
Over the West Virginia hills,
Stout-hearted to the bugle trills!
Our brave old boy is gone!

Your soldier boy has gone!
But yesterday, I said, and yet
A dozen harvest moons have set
Since on his shoulders shone the bars!
A valiant soul in valiant wars,
Our brave good boy has gone.

Your soldier boy is gone!
O pallid face! O cold, still heart!
O sweet veiled eyes whence no smiles start!
O stricken sword-arm! Hear our prayer,
And answer if ye loved him, where
Our soldier boy is gone?

Your soldier boy is gone!
And what is left but sobs and tears,
But aching hearts and broken years?
Ah, God, have pity! in thine eye
We are but babes that moan and cry!
Our soldier boy is gone!

Your soldier boy is gone!
And nothing left but sobs and tears?
Aye, memories of golden years, —
Fame, honor, manhood's royal meed
Of generous aim and glorious deed!
Our soldier is not gone!

Your soldier boy is gone!
Aye, risen to heights sublimer far
Than any known to mortal are!
For, lo! that life is deemed most blest
That serves its God and country best!
Our soldier is not gone!