Classic Poem

He came from the German valleys,
Vineyards and linden trees,
With folksongs for the strangers
Beyond the misty seas.

And he sang so low in the twilight
On his comrade's old guitar,
And the strangers gathered near him,
But his thoughts were wandering far.

Then he heard the battle calling,
But the ships would sail no more;
And the heart of the soldier and singer
Broke on the stranger's shore.