American Old Time Song Lyrics: 58 The Song That Will Live Forever
Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 58
The Song That Will Live Forever.
Copyright, 1896, by Francis, Day & Hunter.
Words by Tom Browne. Music by Felix McGlennon.
'Twas a glorious night, and the moon shone brightly,
As around the camp-fires the soldiers lay;
Their hearts were bold, and they beat, ah, so lightly,
Tho' they might be stilled in the coming fray.
It was all in vain that they courted slumber,
So they 'rous'd and sat there the whole night long,
Telling tales and talking the old times over,
When at last one sang them a sweet old song.
Chorus.
The song that will live forever, forever and for aye!
Ages may come and ages may go, the song shall live alway;
while human hearts are beating on the land or foam,
The song that will live forever is "Home, Sweet Home!"
As the words rang out in that far-off wlldwood,
Ev'ry warm, true heart breathed a silent pray'r;
For they thought of home, the dear home of their childhood,
And the ones they loved, who were waiting there.
Ah: they thought of parents, of wives and children,
Sweethearts, friends and playmates across the foam;
There were brave men's tears in the husky voices,
As they Join'd the Chorus of "Home, Sweet Home.-Chorus.
Hark! what was that? A bugle call? To arms! to arms! to arms!
Up sprang those gallant heroes then to face grim war's alarms;
And fast they're battling there 'gainst death, mid bay'net,
shot and shell;
Where fighting to the last, the gallant soldier singer fell,
the soldier singer fell.
He hears the cry of "Victory!" and with his dying breath,
He bids his comrades not to grieve for his, a soldier's death.
"Good-bye." he cries, "Good-bye! I lived for those across the foam,
For them I die! God bless them, boys, I've sung my last of home:"- Cho.