of an Idle Soldier By « storst m. m«rtMit4 Pri« f iftv c«it» Class lESii^^^i BookJlkLLs CopyiiglitN"_JM3. COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT. •u<-(- (^ f o 1^ 3 o IDLE 50NG5 OF AN IDLL SOLDIER BY GEORGE M. MORELAND Copyright. 1909, by George M. Moreland Monterey, California PRESS OF THE MONTEREY NEW ERA 1909 t^ 3^ii r .04^ X^ ri ©CIA251651 Idle 5ongs of an Idle Soldier CONTENTS. Slumber's Train - . . 7 The Twenty-Ninth's Farewell - _ 9 A Soldier's Grave - - - 1 | The Old Spinning Wheel - - j 3 Thanksgiving Day - - - 15 A Dream of the Farm - - - 16 The Eighth's A-Goin' Home - - 17 My Mississippi State - - - 19 Loneliness - - - - 20 My Treasure - - - - 2 1 7 he Song I Would Sing - - 23 A Family History - - - 24 Not A Care ... - 27 In the Far-Off Philippines - - 28 Will We Be Comrades Then? - - 29 A Dream of the Past - - - 30 'Neath a Little Mound of Clay - 32 Alone . . - - 33 Un-Returned Love - - - 34 When the Daylight Dawns Again - 35 A Lover's Ballad - - - 36 A Letter To My Mother - - - 37 Tombigbee's Name - - - 39 Only a Dream - - - - 40 The Wind's Advice - - - 42 A Song - - - . 43 My Mississippi Home - - 44 A Longing _ - - , 46 Farewell For Aye and Aye - - 47 When I Am Dead - - - 48 In the Long Ago _ _ _ 49 AUTHOR'S NOTE. These verses are the product of an idle soldier, as the title indicates, and are submitted, not as gems of thought which will endure till the end of Time, but simply as a fancy of the author to see what the world would think of these verses which have been jotted down all the way from New York to the Philippines and from the Mex- ican Gulf to the Great Lakes. If they possess merit, I am glad; if they do not, my only excuse is that I did the best I could; angels can do no more. If they should be the cause of making one person's life con- tain one ray more of sunshine or making one moment of one life less sad I shall feel that my labors have not been in vain. GEORGE M. MORELAND. Presidio of Monterey, California, July 5th, 1909. Idle Songs of an Idle Soldier SLUMBER'S TRAIN. Last night my thoughts went rambling back Adown Life's rugged lane — Adown a portion of the road Not fill'd with sin and pain. I saw the fields of cotton white; I heard the darkies' song; I saw the Mississippi stream In grandness sweep along. The old time oak was standing yet Where father kept his plows; And Jake was whistling "Dixie Land" While driving home the cows. The cotton fields were just the same As they were years ago; The Mississippi murmured still The same song, soft and low. The old doorway was just the same Where mother sat each day And told us tales of Bethlehem Or watched us idly play. I saw her sitting just the same All busy with her lace; I leap'd to clasp her in my arms For one long, sweet embrace. 8 IDLE SONGS OF AN IDLE SOLDIER I leap'd to clasp her in my arms For one embrace again. 'Twas all a dream; I'd only gone Away on Slumber's Train. But what a pleasure 'tis to go And see those forriis again — To see my parents-angels now — On Slumber's noiseless Train. Yes, mother sleeps beneath the grass Close by my father's side. Where Mississippi's flowers grow And idly ebbs the tide. But soon I'll take an endless ride On Slumber's noiseless Train ; When wild flow'rs bloom above my grave I'll see them both again. IDLE SONGS OF AN IDLE SOLDIER THE TWENTY-NINTH'S FAREWELL. This little song was written just before the departure of the 29th Infantry from the Philippine Islands to the United States in 1 904. While that regiment was serving in the Philippine Islands from 1 902 to 1 904 it was stationed a greater portion of its time on the Island of Guimaras, in the Visayan group, where a large reservation was cleared by the soldiers and good barracks built by their own hands. We are tired of tropic breezes. We are tired of tropic belles. And we long to cross the ocean Where the 'Mericano dwells. Two long years we fought and battled On the bonny Guim'ras Isle, And we battled, nobly battled With the bushes all the while. From the jungles of the forest Mighty, massive structures rose; Speaking biblically: "The wilderness Blossomed even as the rose." We constructed roads and bridges. Worked in mortar and in clay — Never tired but kept on working Just as hard from day to day. Yes; perhaps our guns were rusty; Our vocation was to dig; All the calls the buglers "sabbied" Were the sweet notes of "Fatigue." We have left a trail behind us. As a famous poet lined, We have not been idly dreaming, Footprints we have left behind. O'er the cable comes the message From headquarters o'er the foam, Saying, "They have done their duty. Let the Twenty-Ninth come home." 10 IDLE SONGS OF AN IDLE SOLDIER We are eager now and waiting For the final word to go; Tho' our transport's coming swiftly, It is coming still too slow. Let us as we lift our anchor Long in happy chorus dwell, "Three long cheers for bonny Guim'ras, Three long cheers and then farewell." Let our band as we are leaving Play the strains of Howard Payne, Let them echo o'er the island We will never see again. Let us as we lift our anchor Long in happy chorus dwell, "Three long cheers for bonny Guim'ras, Three long cheers and then farewell." IDLE SONGS OF AN IDLE SOLDIER 11 A SOLDIER'S GRAVE. On October 31, 1902, while on detached service in an out-of-the-way barrio on the Island of Guimaras, Philippine Islands, Private John Minix, Company B, 29th Infantry, U. S. A, was stricken with cholera and died within a few hours before medical aid could possibly reach him from Camp Jossman, twenty miles away. It was his death and sad burial in the solitudes of the native forest that suggested the following lines; By the gentle, flowing river. Where the palms and mangoes wave. Where the grasses softly quiver. Is a lonely soldier's grave. It was dark when he was buried, And the gentle rain did fall. As the soldiers tramped and hurried With that solemn, deathly pall. Down we laid him with a murmur. As we whispered each to each Of the sad, heart-breaking rumor That would to his mother reach. Far away across the ocean She was waiting patiently For the day of great commotion V/hen he'd kneel beside her knee. But beneath the island grasses There we laid him, meek and low, Where he slumbers with the masses Where the timid flow'rets grow. Let him sleep as he is sleeping — For his land his life he gave — But at home his mother's weeping Once to see his lonely grave. 12 IDLE SONGS OF AN IDLE SOLDIER Pluck one flow'ret for his mother; Send it to her far away. For we know there is none other Who would cherish it for aye. Murmur, wind, and grasses quiver; Gentle palm trees, lightly wave; For beside the flowing river Is a soldier's lonely grave. - IDLE SONGS OF AN IDLE SOLDIER 13 THE OLD SPINNING WHEEL. Up in the garret white with dust, I chanced once to steal And found a sight which pleased my taste — The old time spinning wheel. 'Twas cast aside as useless now. The "cranky" wheel must go; In modern times of flying work The old wheel is too slow. So it was roughly cast aside — This dear old spinning wheel. Which many times had hummed a song To an old time Georgia reel. And when the boys would come to dance. And bring the "gals" along. The wheel would sit an ornament Among the merry throng. I wonder what dear grandma'd say, If she were living still, (But now she's sleeping 'neath the grass Close by the silent mill) Were she to only get a glance Or even faintly know The wheel was counted useless now That she used long ago. There's many a tale she'd tell about This dear old wheel, I say. Which, when a bride, she brought with her From Georgia far away. She'd tell of how she used to stand And merrily would turn While twisting thread, so soft and white. Her heart with love did burn. 14 IDLE SONGS OF AN IDLE SOLDIER She'd tell, too, how grandfather sat While she was all astir And told her of the ardent love He bore alone for her. But these old hearts are silent now And nevermore will love Till they unite again in peace In boundless realms above. Down in the graveyard's silent shade They now forgotten lie; And in oblivion they will rest Until they mount the sky. So, too, the old wheel is forgot. Aye, hke all earthly things; And as I stand in the garret dark It solace to me brings That though we are forgotten here In realms of earthly wrong. That we will never be forgot Among the Master's throng. IDLE SONGS OF AN IDLE SOLDIER 15 THANKSGIVING DAY. That happy day is drawing close When erring boys who roam The land from Maine to Mexico Will long again for home. No matter what a man may be, A "Yank" or from the South, The thought of turkey baking brown Brings water to his mouth. I've rambled east and rambled west. But it occurs to me That turkey's just as good in Maine As 'tis in Tennessee. When mother spreads the table out And we begin to dine, We don't care who's the President, The turkey tastes so fine. We*thank the Lord that we're alive; We thank him for the day When we can eat our fill without A doctor's bill to pay. We eat the pie that mother brings And doughnuts by the score; We simply eat the turkey up And wish there 'd been some more. We're thankful to the blessed Lord For good Thanksgiving Day; But some of us, if we but dared. Would humbly to Him pray To change this great and goodly feast. For 'tis exceeding clear That we would have Thanksgiving Day Come twice in every year. 16 IDLE SONGS OF AN IDLE SOLDIER A DREAM OF THE FARM. When nighttime has come and the winds from the south Waft zephyrs of odorous spring, 'Tis then that I sit in my armchair and smoke And ponder on many a thing. Methinks as I sit in my old oaken chair I hear still the sweet-noted bell Of Star Face a-comin' right leisurely home When sunset has darkened the dell. I hear in the barnyard the pigs and the geese. Like Babel the day of its fall; And father is raking the sweet scented hay To feed the tired ox in his stall. The gobbler is strutting his wings on the grass. His gills are all rosy and red; The chickens are singing their songs in the yard Before they retire to their bed. The boys have returned from the field with their plows. And mother has welcomed them in. (Ah, now they are men, but how much would they give For mother's kind welcome again!) Louisa is singing a song at the well — A merry and rollicksome lay ; — And all things go merry, methinks, on the farm When closes this amorous day. I wake to my senses; my pipe has burned out; The moon in the heavens rides high; The zephyrs still waft their sweet perfume about — A man full of sorrow am I. Methinks it is sweet when the night curtains fall — (Oh, surely 'twill do me no harm!) To dream of the days that have gone long ago. When I was a boy on the farm. IDLE SONGS OF AN IDLE SOL DIER 17 . THE EIGHTH'S A-GOIN' HOME. These verses were written just prior to the departure for the United States of the 8th Infantry from the Philippine Islands in 1908. The 8th Infantry was stationed on the Islands of Panay and Guimaras while in the Philippines. While this regiment was serving in the Philippines and also since that date, an order existed requiring all regiments to make certain practice marches weekly; also to swim prescribed distances with full field kit and blanket roll. There's a lovely snow-white vessel Come from far across the sea; Come to take us to a country Where we so much long to be. Yes ; our big War Chief has sent it Far across the ragin' foam With instructions plain, emphatic. For the Eighth to hurry home. 'Cause he knows that we've been strayin' In this tropic land too long; 'Cause he knows that our "cabeza" Nov/adays ain't very strong. An' our Uncle Samuel loves us So he sent for us to go Back across the ragin' waters Where the temp'rate breezes blow. Where the hikes may be a-plenty Yet there's roads to hike 'em on; Where there ain't no swimmin' orders An' a roll to swim upon. We may sometimes sit an' ponder Of a darlin' sweet Marie Sittin' in her bamboo "casa" Dreamin' dreams 'bout you an' me. 18 IDLE SONGS OF AN IDLE SOLDIER But we'll have a sweetheart yonder — One that "hablas" English fine; An' her hair'll not be oily Like the one we left behind. When we get a dollar yonder In that land we're goin' to, It'll be a great big good-un, And'Il bring its value, too. There a dime ain't called "peseta" An' a "baca" aint a cow; Darn these "Islas Filipinas" We don't like 'em anyhow. When the Eighth's a-leavin' harbor On that glad an' happy day On two spots we'll look with pleasure — Guim'ras Isle and fair Panay. We will cheer an' scream an' holler — All of us who're so inclined — Not because we love the Islands; 'Cause we're leavin' 'em behind. Then we'll soon see God's good country— Our own darlin' U. S. A., Land we love an' land that loves us. Where we'll surely ever stay. When we hear the East a-callin' In its silent mystic strain (As most surely it will call us) We will let it call in vain. Yes; the big white boat's a-comin' Far across the ragin' foam; An' the War chief sent a message For the Eighth to hurry home. IDLE SONGS OF AN IDLE SOLDIER 1 9 MY MISSISSIPPI STATE. I rambled away from the home I had loved To seek for the riches of men; But soon as my ship to a harbor has come, I'll go to my old home again. I've long been away, but the girl I have loved Is waiting there patiently yet; Too true to deceive is my bonny sweetheart — She's waiting and ne'er will forget. Chorus : Where the mocking birds are singing, and the vesper bells are ringing. She is waiting by the gate; Where the sun is always brightest, and one's cares are always lightest — In my Mississippi State. I'm longing to see the old parents I left. And friends, who'll forever be true; They will eagerly wait for the tales I will tell Of sailors, and billows so blue. Another is there, and she's waiting, I know. Where one time she said she would be; So when I get home the first place I will go Is down to the June-apple tree. (Chorus.) 20 IDLE SONGS OF AN IDLlE SOLDIER LONELINESS. The night is dark and the wind is blowing — The vines they slap at my window-pane; The night-birds shriek and the river's flowing In the lonely, drear November rain. My life IS sad and my heart is aching For tender love that I've never known ; What care the world if my heart be breaking? The world is loved and I'm all alone! V/hen you but know of the pain and sorrow That fills the world which you think is bright You'll understand on some sweet tomorrow This aching heart on this rainy night. IDLE SONGS OF AN IDLE SOLDIER 21 MY TREASURE. Within a cozy, jewelled case. And safely locked away. Is laid the ring my darling wore Upon our wedding day. 'Tis not a costly looking thing. Like lords and ladies wear. But millions could not buy this ring I value it so dear! How well can I recall the day \vhen she stood by my side And said the v/ords, so very sweet. That made her e'er my bride. 'Tis forty years agone since then When Bess and I were wed ; But tv/enty years my darling's lain Out in the church yard — dead! Her face — so fair — has faded now; Her form has turned to clay; But she's the same sweet girl toime As on our wedding day. When che was in her coffin dead. Her hands so icy cold — I k-elt thfre by my darling wife And took that band of gold! I keep it safely locked away. And only now and then. When p rowing heartsick, sad and lone, I bok at it again. The grasses grow above her grave; The mock-birds sing around The spot where darling Bessie sleeps — That simple, lowly mound. There's room enough close by her side For one more narrow bed: 22 IDLE SONGS OF AN IDLE SOLDIER I'll lay me down by Bessie's side At last, when I am dead. I'll join my darling once again. Where seraphs constant sing ; And when I pass the "pearly gates" I'll give her back her ring! IDLE SONGS OF AN IDLE SOLDIER 23 THE SONG I WOULD SING. A poet sang of a little bird With a shattered, broken wing; He told the story so often heard, So oft the hearts of the tender stirred. What a sad, sad tune 'twould sing. The poet told of the very way. In the merry summertime. While other birds were so glad and gay, This bird would sit and would never play, Tho' the days were like a rhyme. Were I a poet with songs to sing I would tell another part; I'd never tell of a broken wing; I'd tell of a sadder and nobler thing; I'd sing of a broken heart. I'd tell the way that the heart was broke — I would tell, if poet can. How heart as strong as the sturdy oak Was crushed with only a woman's stroke; How it left a heartless man! 24 IDLE SONGS OF AN IDLE SOLDIER A FAMILY HISTORY. I went to the old fam'Iy Bible Where father recorded the name Of all of his lads and his lasses The very same day that they came. I turned thro' the old yellow pages; The names that I saw — here are all — John, William and Annie and Bessie — The youngest were Flora and Paul. I stood and I pondered those pages; O, where are those children all gone! They once were around the old roof-tree. But now, like a bird, they have flown. There's John — he the oldest and wisest — Where now in the wide world is he? His longing was always for sailing Upon the dark, billowy sea. He left the home port for New Zealand Ore fine sunny morning in May; And long mother watched, long she waited. Till worry her life wore away. Next William we see on the record — Observe, please, at once that is me. In childhood we a'l played together. But now there is none here but me. The next one we see is our Annie — The first of us all to depart — Too true for this old v/orld of sorrow. To 3 noble her patient young heart. We laid her to rest by the willow Down near where the spring-brook doth fall; From morning till night in the meadow The mock-birds they whistle and call. IDLE SONGS OF AN IDLE SOLDIER 25 Comes next on the list little Bessie, The wisest, most learned of us all; Alas! but she wedded a drunkard; Her life was made bitter as gall. She worried and pined for her husband; With fever she's striken one day; Her sorrow and fever's wild ravage Soon wore her weak life-cords away. We laid her to rest over yonder Where mock-birds forever doth sing. Where Bessie, our darling, is sleeping Down close by the brook and the spring. And, then, there is Flora, the darling. The smallest of all of the girls; The pet of all of the household — The darling with ringlets and curls. We loved her but she was too noble; When fever was raging, our dear Went forth as a nurse, and her tomb-stone Says, "Sleep here our good volunteer." The last Ox-e of all on the record — Yes, the very last one of us all — Is the joll'est one of the family. The rollicking, rackety Paul. And near to his name in the Bible Is a clipping from out of the "News," Which tells of our hero's sad story In fanciful lips like a Muse. It tells how a soldier has fallen In our tropical land far away, Who bore the bright banner still forward In thickest a^nd hottest of fray. 26 IDLE SONGS OF AN IDLE SOLDIER It tells how he fell and was buried In islands far over the sea ; Of all of this family of children There's none of them living but me. Sometimes as I stand here and ponder While sinks the bright sun in the west, Almost do I wish I could follow The loved ones who've entered to rest. IDLE SONGS OF AN IDLE SOLDIER 27 NOT A CARE. We have trod the rugged pathway Thro' the vista of the past; — Trod it with our hearts together But they're severed now at last. I am sitting by my fireside Thinking of the Long Ago, And outside my window casements Chilly winter breezes blow. All the little garden's covered With a sheet of snowy white. But my thoughts are drifting backward To another happy night. Wben the zephyrs from the Southland Fanned her young, unwrinkled brow; Now. I'm sitting brooding o'er it; Ah, 'tis but a mem'ry now! In the little garden corner Is a spot all white with snow, But beneath the small embankment Sleeps her faded form, I know. But her soul is watching, waiting, Far beyond our earthly ken At the far-off gates of jasper Where she'll surely let me in Parted now but not forever; Dearest ties are broken here; Over there there's not a heartache. Not a sorrow, not a care. 28 IDLE SONGS OF AN IDLE SOLDIER IN THE FAR-OFF PHILIPPINES. WKen the sun was shining brightly O'er the Mississippi hills. And the waters murmured lightly In the rivers and the rills, Stood a youth his farewell giving To a maiden of his dreams; As a soldier he was going To the far-off Philippines. Chorus : "When the cruel war is ended, darling, I'll return and ask you to be mine; But when I am far away, my darling, I'll be still the same — and always thine. When the sweet magnolias bloom. And the mock-bird sings his tune, I'll return and still be always thine." But the papers told the story How he nobly fought and fell, Fighting for the "Flag of Glory;" And his solemn funeral knell Echoed o'er the hills and valleys Of the Island of Panay; While his sweetheart thought and pondered O'er the last words he did say: (Chorus.) IDLE SONGS OF AN IDLE SOLDIER 29 WILL WE BE COMRADES THEN? To my good Army friend. Musician Peyton Roscoe, Company L, 29th Infantry, U. S. A., these lines are dedicated : When the years have drifted onward Down the beaten paths of Time, Will our friendship still glide smoothly Like a sweetly written rhyme? Will you not forget me, comrade. As you face the world of men? When you face the world of battle, Will we still be comrades then? When you face the stormy conflict — Roam 'neath other skies so blue — Don't forget the dear old comrade Who tried always to be true. If you ever get in trouble — Should you sorely need a friend — Just remember dear old by-gones; We can still be comrades then. Tho' perhaps we part forever, I cannot, cannot forget All the days when we were comrades; O, we must be comrades yet! Comrades, comrades — yes, forever Through the earthly walks of men; When we cross the "Pearly Portals," May we still be comrades then. 30 IDLE SONGS OF AN IDLE SOLDIER A DREAM OF THE PAST. Last night I dreamed of days agone, Of childhood's hallowed past; Of days all fill'd with blissful charms Too pleasant far to last. I stood again beneath the shade Close by the old farm well; I watched the cattle languid roam Down in the pleasant dell. The fragrance of that pleasant dell Pervaded everywhere; The tinkle of old Star Face's bell Distinctly I could hear, — Could hear as in the days of old When in the evening gloam I used to wander down the lane To drive the cattle home. Across the fields I heard a strain Of music fill the air, — The same old song of Mary Vane, The girl I loved so dear. When evening came and I went forth To drive the cattle home She'd always wait beside the gate And sing there in the gloam. Ah, Time, thy cruel hand has touched The beauty of her brow; The daisies in the pleasant dell Sway gently o'er her now! Long years ago she went away To with the angels soar; Tho' long I wait beside the gate She sings to me no more. IDLE SONGS OF AN IDLE SOLDIER 31 I always hear her in my dreams Still singing soft and low Whene'er I drive the cattle home In evening's tinted glow. Some day, when Life's great war shall cease, I'll soar beyond the stars. And Mary'll waiting be for me Still singing by the barg. 32 IDLE SONGS OF AN IDLE SOLDI ER 'NEATH A LITTLE MOUND OF CLAY When the April flowers were blooming In the Spring-time long ago. Mother kissed me on the doorstep. And her hair so like the snow. Fell upon my boyish shoulders. And her tears fell like the rain. As she whispered, "I'll be waiting. Darling, when you come again." Chorus : 'Til be waiting at the homestead. Looking for you every day; Don't forget that mother loves you In the old home far away." Years fled by with fleeting footsteps; Then I rambled home again — Home again to see my mother — But my journey was in vain. There stood still the old magnolias Where I often used to play; But, alas! my mother waited 'Neath a little mound of clay. (Chorus.) All the birds were sweetly singing. And the swift Pearl swept along; But I heeded not its music Nor the mock-bird's merry song. I stood thinking of my mother, By that little mound of clay. And her words I still remember. As she kissed me and did say: (Chorus.) IDLE SONGS OF AN IDLE SOLDIER 33 ALONE. The night is dark and the wind is blowing; No stars peep out with a brilliant light; The night-birds shriek and the river's flowing — Is flowing swift thro' the dark, dark night. My life is sad and my heart is aching; No love speaks out in a gentle tone; I'm sad and lone and my heart is breaking — Is breaking sure, and I'm afl alone! 34 IDLE SONGS OF AN IDLE SOLDIER UN-RETURNED LOVE. The world may be a cheery place If those we love will love us; The heart will be as soft and pure As heav'n that smiles above us. But if the one our heart has chose Does not see fit to love us, The day will full of darkness be. The stars ne'er shine above us. The saddest thing in all the world By human tongue e'er spoken, Is, "Life was wrecked by wrong-spent love,- A heart has bled and's broken." IDLE SONGS OF AN IDLE SOLDIER 35 WHEN THE DAYLIGHT DAWNS AGAIN. O, dark is the midnight hour — So dark and full of gloom; And my heart is sad; for pleasure There is never, never room. I long for the days of pleasure To come and ease my pain. For I'll be happy surely When the daylight dawns again. O, days of truth and Constance, When will you ever come? before I'm sleeping lowly in the coldness of the tomb? vVhen the one I love shall love me, 'Twill ease my heart of pain. And I'll be happy surely When the daylight dawns again. When love shall be returned For an ever constant love, 'Nd we love as do the angels In the brilliant Courts Above — 'Tis then that I'll be happy And free from grief and pain; When the one I love shall love me Then the day will dawn again. 36 IDLE SONGS OF AN IDLE SOLDIER A LOVER'S BALLAD. The sun was fast sinking to rest in the west As I walked all alone by the sea; As I wandered my thoughts flew over the wave. And were ever, my darling, with thee. Tho' oceans divide us, seas murmur between, Still my heart is forever with you; I'm dreaming always of those wonderful eyes, Like the stars in the heavens of blue. I sit by the sea and think of my love. While the moon pours its radiant light Upon my sad form; while I list to the bird Sing its low, plaintive warble at night. But love on, young heart; 'tis well that you love, Tho' you love at a terrible cost; For a man's life is nobler and purer at last, Tho' even he has loved and has lost! IDLE SONGS OF AN IDLE SOLDIER 37 A LETTER TO MY MOTHER. Lovingly dedicated to the dear old lady 'way down in Mississippi to whom it is addressed. Mother, when the twilight lengthens O'er the hills at eventide. Oft I linger sad and lonely. Wishing I were by your side. Oft I think of days now numbered With the dead decaying past When you soothed my aching forehead — O, that they could ever last! Sometimes when the night-time hovers O'er my narrow, cheerless bed. Some kind angel whispers softly Of the happy days now dead; Of the long lanes lined with cowslips And the gentle winds of May ; Of the meadows where the farmers Gather in the new-mown hay. I could hear the soft, low murmur Of the tinkling little ril'.s Winding 'mongst the ferns and willows From the distant, verdant hills. Mother, will those halcyon moments Ever come to me agam, Making this poor heart grow lighter, Easing me of all my pain? When again you clasp me, mother. To your gentle, loving breast. There my head will stay forever. And in peace and gladness rest. 38 IDLE SONGS OF AN IDLE SOLDIER I will ever hover near you In sweet harmony and love, Till we pass beyond the portals Of that brilliant Court Above! IDLE SONGS OF AN IDLE SOLDIER 39 TOMBIGBEE'S NAME. It is always interesting to know why some of our rivers, lakes, mountains and even states, acquire such romantic, unusual Indian names. The following verses give the true cause for the naming of the Tombigbee River, a beautiful and fascinating stream in our Southland : They are telling now a story How Tombigbee got its name. How a poor old coffin-maker Brought the queer name into fame. Years ago when Mississippi Was infested by the braves Of the Chickasaws, and others. Who for dead men made no graves. Came a lonely pale-faced rambler. Settled near the river's flow. And upon the rippling waters Watched the Indians come and go; Saw them heap departed Indians In embankments very high; So he made for them a coffin, "For your bravest when they die?." Thus they called him "coffin-maker," Or "Tom-big-bee," as they say, And the river near his dwelling Call they that unto this day. 40 IDLE SONGS OF AN IDLE SOLDIER ONLY A DREAM. The brook meandered its way along While I stood upon its bank; The partridge whistled his autumn song. And the cattle came and drank. The leaves of autumn were falling near, Floating idly down the stream; The fields and forests were lone and sere. When I slept and dreamed a dream. I dreamed I rambled the meadows o'er With a heart all gay and light; The light of eyes that I'll see no more iVIade both wood and field more bright. The rippling laugh that my darling had Was so very sweet to me, I soon forgot I was lone and sad; I was fill'd with mirth and glee. A bird was singing his autumn song But his notes were lost to me, For I was happy the v/hole day long; I was loved, and love was free; We talked of seraphs and golden wings. While we watched the rippling tide; We could hear the harp with its silver strings Play the air for groom and bride. I stooped to steal from her tender lips One kiss as a gift that day! I woke to find that the joys man sips Will forever fiy away. I'd slept and dreamed on the brook's low bank And my darling whom I'd found. With whom the nectar of gods I'd drank Was asleep beneath a mound IDLE SONGS OF AN IDLE SOLDIER 41 Close by the brook 'neath a chestnut tree Where the autumn birds flew near And sang their songs full of simple glee; Ah, the songsters did not care! i hey little dream of the pain and woe That will fill a human life; I wish that I were a songster so I'd forget this pain and strife. 42 IDLE SONGS OF AN IDLE SOLDIER THE WIND'S ADVICE. The day was done, the sun had set Behind the banks of red; How many hopes with it has gone Into oblivion-dead! The wind sighed softly in the trees; It meant for me to hear; "Faint not, but ever struggle on, Tho' dark the roads appear. "There never was a battle fought Without an hour of fear; No pinnacle we e'er surmount Without a bitter tear. "Then, gird thy armor, face the world. And nevermore despair. For, tho' Life's road is fill'd with thorns The end is shining fair. "Remember that the treasure-trove Is for the man who toils; And he who in the conflict fights Shall win the victor's spoils." IDLE SONGS OF AN IDLE SOLDIER 43 A SONG. Are you thinking of me as I'm thinking of you. In your home far over the sea? Wherever you roam in this wide world tonight. My love, are you thinking of me? I stood by the stream where so often we'd sit And talk of the sweet future days; O, Love, how my heart in pure sadness did break With sharp Disappointment's harsh rays! Are you looking tonight upon those bright stars? Are their lights, too, falling on you? I wish some angel would come from above And make a bright star of me, too. I would sit on my crest in the dome of the skies And look. Love, forever on thee; I think of thee constantly all of the days; O, Love, art thou thinking of me? 44 IDLE SONGS OF AN IDLE SOLDIER MY MISSISSIPPI HOME. When the winter snow is falling, And my heart is fill'd with gloom. Think I often of the meadows Where the lovely jasmines bloom. I was but a youth, and longing All the weary world to roam. When I bade farewell to mother And my Mississippi home. Chorus : But I'll never see again all those splendors ; now 'tis vain ; And I'll never see my dear old mother more. When I left I broke her heart; there forever did we part. Near the jasmine at the old plantation door. I was gay that summer morning And all nature seem'd in tune; All the birds were sweetly singing In the treetops, bright and soon. When I left the old plantation All the weary world to roam; — Left my mother weeping for me in my Mississippi home. (Chorus.) Years have passed since that glad morning; Now my mother's dead and gone; She is gently, gently sleeping In the churchyard all alone. Oh, the message sweet she sent me O'er the ocean's raging foam, — Sent the truant boy who left her In her Mississippi home. (Chorus.) IDLE SONGS OF AN IDLE SOLDIER 45 Ali the world will now be gloomy And this heart be full of pain. Since I left my darling mother Ne'er to see her face again. But when Death shall loose these fetters And the world no more I roam, I will meet my darling mother In that bright Eternal Home. (Chorus.) 46 IDLE SONGS OF AN IDLE SOLDIER A LONGING. I sit in my chamber while night hovers round Alone, and my memory Piees Back, back to the days o: sweet childhood's domain My heartaches once more to appease. Ere long I'll retire to my couch for the night Alone with no sweet words of cheer; O, worlds would I give if the worlds were all mine If mother, dear mother, were here! How fond does my mem'ry revert to the time When snugly she'd tuck me well m. And utter a prayer as alone mothers can To make me all guileless from sin. O, mother, come back from the world where you've rone And tuck me well in for the night. My heartaches are many since you went away ; Come make it all care-free and bright. 'Tis years sipxe you left me alone — all alone — O, come just tonight once again And tuck me in snugly and kneel by my couch And plead for my freedom from sin. Temptations are many since you went away; The days and the nights are so long; At nightfall no prayer and at morn ne'er a kiss Nor melody sweet of your song. I wish you would come, mother dear, to my heart And tell me again of your love. Just fold me secure to your arms once again And Hy to your home up above. I'll now lay me down in my couch for the night Alone, with no sweet words of cheer. O, worlds would I give if the worlds were all mine If mother, dear mother, were here! IDLE SONGS OF AN IDLE SOL DIER 47 FAREWELL FOR AYE AND AYE. To my Army friend, Charles A. Grandi, Musician, Company L 29th Infantry, this effort is dedicated. In a pleasant home one day, in Ohio far away, Stood a youth his last farev/ell to say; "I must ramble. Love," said he, "o'er the land from sea to sea. Seeking wealth to build a home for us for aye. When I've captured wealth and fame I will surely come ajain And in old Ohio I will ever stay." Chorus : So o'er the wave he rambled, while the waters sang and gamboled In the old Ohio River near his home; The girl still calmly waited for her love so long belated. And she often wondered why he'd never come. When the Springtime came each year she would gently drop a tear. But she never saw the grave so far away; In a Cuban valley bright, stars would gently look at night On the mound where slept her love from day to day; And the wind would whisper soft, as the palm trees waved aloft. But they ne'er disturbed his^ sleep for aye and aye. (Chorus.) 48 IDLE SONGS OF AN IDLE SOLDIER WHEN I AM DEAD. When the April flowers are blooming And the world is full of joy, — Not a cloud to mar its sweetness Nor a wind its peace annoy; When the sky above is shining With a face unblurred and clear, ril be sleeping cold and lifeless. And I wonder if you'll care. Will you ever in your rambles Take the time to walk around — Place some roses or some lillies Fair upon my lowly mound? Will you long, then, for the accents Of a voice that's cold and still? Will you, when you ramble near me? Tell me if you ever will! Or when Winter's chilly breezes Moan above my lonely bed. Will you ever have a heartache When you think that I am dead? Will your footsteps wander gently Where I sleep beneath the snow? Should you ever wander thither I am sure that I shall know. I'll be there, tho' you'll not see me In my lowly, narrow bed; O, I hope you'll not forget me When I'm slumb'ring cold and dead! Let one link in Mem'ry's cycle Still cling on till life has fled And you come to slumber with me In the City of the Dead. IDLE SONGS OF AN IDLE SOLDIER 49 IN THE LONG AGO. Yes, my form may now be bending And my locks as white as snow. But the day has long since vanished When it was not even so. One time I was gay and sprightly. And was happy, just like you. And my life was like the morning Sprinkled o'er with drops of dew. Then I loved a little maiden Near the blue Tombigbee's flow. (Oh, how sweet to dwell upon it Though 'twas even long ago!) When the Mississippi flowers By the wayside wildly grew. Gathered we the four-leafed clovers And the daisies, bright and blue. We would listen to its murmur As the bright stream swept along, Rippling o'er the stones and pebbles. Singing e'er a merry song. Thus I loved a little maiden In the happy Long Ago, Where the flowers bloom forever Near the blue Tombigbee's flow. Years passed by, and I had rambled Far across the ocean wide. But I found no fairy regions Over on the other side. When my rambling mood was ended. Thought I of the river's flow. And the maiden who had loved me In the lovely long ago. 50 IDLE SONGS OF AN IDLE SOLDIER When I reached the little cottage All around was mute and still Save the waters falling gently O'er the rustic water mill. Near the river's mossy margin Was a daisy-covered mound Where my sweetheart waited calmly While the waters sang around — Sang the same tune it had murmured When we rambled in the glow Of a pleasant April evening In the happy Long Ago. Still this life is not the ending, For the tender cords of Love Which have severed been at parting Will united be above. 'h^ NOV 20 1909 mn I CONGRESS