It used to be That, when I heard the bugle call, I saw long ranks of soldiers sway To battle music, brave and gay, And banners flaunting on a wall; But now I see— Just Harry when he went away. Harry was tall, Taller than Pa (Pa didn't mind) And just 'bout twice as tall as me, All straight like our young poplar tree— I liked him. He was awful kind; Sometimes he'd call, "Here, young 'un—hold this gun for me!" It seems to me That bugles have got changed somehow. It used to be to hear one play Would make me light and glad all day, Playing at wars and fights—but now I only see Our Harry when we went away! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...YOUTH IMPERTURBABLE by CONRAD AIKEN THEY ACCUSE ME OF NOT TALKING by HAYDEN CARRUTH MONADNOCK IN EARLY SPRING by AMY LOWELL CLAY BISON IN A CAVE by CLARENCE MAJOR A JOYFUL SONG OF FIVE by KATHERINE MANSFIELD JUNIUS BRUTUS BOOTH by EDGAR LEE MASTERS |