THE MOTHERS
I
We knew them in their infancy,
We knew them as our sons;
We loved them for their own dear sakes,
We bade them man the guns.
We knew they’d do their honest best,
We prayed that they might live;
And proud were we the day we gave
The utmost we could give.
II
We saw them go, our cherished ones,
We bade them fond farewell;
And we, the mothers of our sons,
Were left alone ... in hell.
O Lord, we humbly pray Thee,
Have mercy on the slain;
But most of all, have mercy on,
The women who remain!