Richmond On The James

Our land is filled with mourning, from Bourbon to Malone And many wives and mothers are weeping, sad and alone For many youthful heroes are among the noble slain On a blood-red field near Richmond Fair Richmond on the James A soldier boy at Richmond lay gasping on the field The battle strife was over and the foe was forced to yield But fell one noble hero before the foe-man's aim On the blood-stained field at Richmond Fair Richmond on the James A comrade stood beside him as his lifeblood ebbed away They had been chums together since boyhood's early day Together they had struggled 'mid strife and grief and pain But to part that night at Richmond Fair Richmond on the James He said, "My noble comrade, you will miss me for awhile But the faces that once loved us, again on you will smile Again you will be foremost in all the village games While I lie here at Richmond Fair Richmond on the James" Take the sword home to my brother, and the star upon my breast To my young and gentle sister, the one that I loved best And a brown lock from my forehead to my mother who still dreams Of the safe return of her soldier boy From Richmond on the James