| [00:19.170] |
Twas midnight when we built our fires |
| [00:22.240] |
We marched at half past three |
| [00:24.300] |
We know not when our march shall end |
| [00:26.490] |
Nor care–we follow Lee. |
| [00:28.510] |
The starlight gleams on many a crest |
| [00:30.619] |
And many a well-trod blade |
| [00:32.520] |
This handful marching on our left |
| [00:34.920] |
This lin’ is our brigade. |
| [00:37.479] |
Our lin’ is short because its veins |
| [00:40.200] |
So lavishly have bled |
| [00:42.300] |
The missing search the countless planes |
| [00:44.440] |
For battles it has led |
| [00:46.420] |
There are those Georgians on the right |
| [00:48.599] |
Their ranks are thinin’ too |
| [00:50.499] |
How in one company they say |
| [00:52.884] |
They now can count but two |
| [01:04.430] |
There’s not much talkin’ down the lines |
| [01:06.729] Nor shoutin’ down the gloam [twilight] |
|
| [01:08.489] |
For when the night is ’round us |
| [01:10.891] |
Then we’re thinkin’ most of home |
| [01:13.979] |
I saw a young soldier startled |
| [01:16.020] |
When we passed an open glade |
| [01:18.110] |
Where the low starlight, leaf, and bough |
| [01:20.449] |
A fairy picture made |
| [01:22.209] |
Nor has he uttered a word since then |
| [01:24.440] |
My heart can whisper why |
| [01:26.420] |
‘Twas like the spot in Texas |
| [01:28.590] |
Where he bade his love goodbye |
| [01:31.790] |
And when beyond us carelessly |
| [01:34.150] |
Some soldier sang “Adieu” |
| [01:36.150] |
My comrade here across his eyes |
| [01:38.325] |
His coarse sleeve roughly drew |
| [01:40.320] |
So scarcely sound of trampling feet |
| [01:42.520] |
Is echoed through the gloom |
| [01:44.200] |
Because when stars are brightest then |
| [01:46.680] |
We’re thinkin’ most of home |
| [02:06.800] |
Hush, what an echo startles up |
| [02:09.540] |
Around this rocky hill |
| [02:11.698] |
Was a shell half buried struck my foot? |
| [02:13.830] |
Or stay–’tis a human skull? |
| [02:15.940] |
This ridge I surely seem to know |
| [02:17.940] |
By light of the rising moon |
| [02:19.760] |
While we battled here three mortal hours |
| [02:22.129] |
One Sunday afternoon |
| [02:25.090] |
Last spring, you see where our captain stands |
| [02:27.480] |
His head drooped on his breast |
| [02:29.360] |
At his feet that heap of bones and earth |
| [02:31.610] |
You know know why his rest |
| [02:33.660] |
Is broke off, and why his sword |
| [02:35.700] |
was so bitter in the fray |
| [02:37.590] |
‘Tis the grave of his only brother |
| [02:39.800] |
Who was killed that awful day |
| [03:00.709] |
Hush, for in front I hear a shot |
| [03:02.830] |
And then a well-known cry |
| [03:05.010] |
It is the foe! See where the flames |
| [03:07.230] |
Mount upward to the sky |
| [03:09.139] |
It is the full hot breath we hear |
| [03:11.360] |
We wait the comin’ sun |
| [03:13.099] |
And ‘ere these stars may shine again |
| [03:15.500] |
A field is lost or won |
| [03:18.490] |
Is won! It is the old brigade |
| [03:20.549] |
This line of stalwart men |
| [03:22.690] |
The long roll, how it thrills my heart |
| [03:24.900] |
To hear that sound again |
| [03:26.827] |
God shield us boys! Here breaks the day |
| [03:29.089] |
The stars begin to fade |
| [03:30.850] |
Now steady here! Fall in! Fall in! |
| [03:33.150] |
Forward the old brigade! |
