Willing to serve if serve I may,
Willing to serve mid twilight gray;
Willing to serve with heart and hand
Obeying the Divine command.
Willing to serve with weary feet,
Willing to serve, to serve is sweet,
Willing to serve for well I know
The prize my Master will bestow.
BANNERS WAVING.
Flags a-waving, trumpets blowing
Tides of feeling, ebbing, flowing.
“On to battle! on to glory!”
Tell again the wondrous story.
Patriotism brightly burning,
Tempered by a wise discerning.
Town and State together crying:—
“On to Richmond! time is flying!”
Fateful summons, who could falter?
Laying all on Freedom’s altar,
“Forward! March!” proclaimed the nation,
Why, the words were an ovation.
Bugles tarnished, banners tattered,
Bullet scarred and bruised and battered.
Home they came with martial bearing,
Home to cheer the hearts despairing;
Home to children, wives and mothers,
Home the living. (But the others.)
On they came and eyes were tearful,
Many eager, many fearful;
Banners waving, drums a-beating,
Happy hearts, a happy meeting.
And hearts “too sad to be alive;”
Oh, thus it was in sixty-five.
Flags a-waving, bugles blowing,
Honor’s meed to worth bestowing.
Laurel wreathes and roses blending,
With the lily’s breath ascending;
Offer tribute true and tender,
Tribute to each brave defender
For his country’s future caring,
Firm! heroic! noble! daring!
Soldiers, sailors, freemen listen
Till thy cheeks with feeling glisten;
By the banner waving o’er thee,
Must Columbia adore thee.
CAN YOU SEE A LITTLE FACE?
Can you see a little face,
Just the type of witching grace,
As a darling clasps your knee
With a gesture honey sweet,
Lisping love in dimpled glee
Till the sum of life’s complete?
Is she happy as a lark
From the rosy dawn till dark?
And when twilight folds the world
Close within her calm embrace,
Is the night with gladness pearled
By the light of that dear face?