Poems (Barbara White)/Only One Boy to Give

by Barbara White

Only One Boy to Give

To my boy when he left with the Johnstown Aero Squadron.

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I had only one boy to give
  When the country issued it's call
For an aero squad of volunteers,
  So I willingly gave it my all.
I sent him away with a smile—
  My darling, my pride and my joy
I never once thought to keep Him at home
  If he was my only boy.

There is only one thing I regret, boy
  That I don't have a dozen sons
So they could fight for their country
  Instead of only one.
But I'm doing the best I can, boy
  By willingly giving them you
For I know that to me and your country
  You always will prove true.

I had only one boy to give
  To his country he e'er will be true
Along with the rest of the home town boys
  Who are fighting for me and for you.
I hope that God may bless them
  And send them safely back,
For well you know in your heart of hearts
  They are nobly doing their part.

Chorus
I had only one boy to give,
  Only one boy to give;
My pride and my joy, my dear darling boy,
  I had only you to give.