Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE THINNING RANKS, by CHARLES LOUIS HENRY WAGNER


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE THINNING RANKS, by                    
First Line: The bugles sound, the rolling drums
Last Line: To honor noble dead.
Subject(s): Death; Holidays; Honor; Memorial Day; Soldiers; War; Dead, The; Declaration Day


The bugles sound, the rolling drums
Have signaled break of day,
Arise, O comrades, and again
Greet this Memorial Day;
Attention, fall in line and count,
One, two, three, four, begin!
And answer to the roll-call now,
O God, the ranks are thin!

Where's Smith who fought at Seven Pines?
Where's Jones who was with me
At Gettysburg for three whole days
And saw the rout of Lee?
What, dead? No, boys, it can't be true,
They marched with us last year,
They seemed as well and strong as I,
I thought they'd sure be here!

Old Adams gone? And Sergeant Green?
And full two score or more
Who answer not unto their names
As in the days of yore?
All dead, and lying 'neath the ground?
Yes, boys, it must be so,
Or else they'd march with us today
And answer "Here," I know.

I fear me, boys, it won't be long
Before our time will come,
We'll have to recognize the call
When Death shall beat the drum.
Our ranks are few, and fewer still
Another year will find,
It won't be long ere not a one
Of us is left behind.

But while we're here, O comrades, show
Our colors all unfurled,
God bless that flag; we saved it, boys,
It's honored o'er the world.
And once again today we'll think
Of those who fought and died
To keep our Union all intact
And bled on Freedom's side.

Now, forward march; right shoulder arms.
Forget your years again,
The band leads on; acquit yourselves
Today like valiant men.
Another year, maybe, we too
Will sleep in Mem'ry's bed,
But here today, we're privileged
To honor noble dead.





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