Patriotic pieces from the Great War/As They Leave Us
AS THEY LEAVE US
Permission of the author
Bid farewell with pride,
Show no trace of sorrow;
Smile into their eyes,
Though your courage borrow;
There will be another day,
And a time
To pay!
Gallant is their look,
But their hearts are tender.
Cry aloud your faith!
Loyal tribute render!
For they go—the young, the brave—
Liberty
To save!
Tell them not of fear;
Whisper not of sadness;
Overbrim to-day
With heroic gladness;
Let your love, remembered, shine
As a light
Benign!
Simple is their trust,
But 'tis deep as ocean;
Lofty is their hope,
Selfless their devotion;
And they go—the young, the brave—
Liberty
To save!
Hark! The bugles call!
Wave your banners!—cheer them!
Happy, let them dream
All that's valiant near them!
They will know, when far from you,
That the dream
Was true!