SING me a song of battle, A glory-song of war -- A song of the man in the thick of the fray, Who needs must battle his stumbling way Through the wild, dark night, through the bloody day, Where the foe and the fighting are. Sing me the joy of battle, A song of victory-death -- A song of the man of the steadfast eye, Who has come to the end with sword still high, The man who has battled his right to die; Who has won to his final breath. Sing me the peace of battle, A song of battle-cease -- A song of the man whose work is done, Who lies in a rest right royally won, Where the wind blows calm, where God's good sun Smiles on the battle-peace. |