American Old Time Song Lyrics: 61 When I Return Well Be Wed

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 61

When I Return We'll Be Wed.
Copyright, 1898. by Edw. M. Konfusky & Bros.

It was just before the battle, the troops were ordered on,
And a soldier with his sweetheart by his side
Were both praying for his safety and that he might soon return,
And live in peace and comfort with his bride.
They would soon have been wedded had he not been called to arms,
And it made the parting all the worse to bear,
But he said, "My country calls, so we'll be wed when I return,
Let us hope 'twill be the answer to our prayer."

Chorus.
"When I return we'll be wed,"
Those were the last words he said,
As he shouldered his musket and marched along,
Perhaps to be soon with the dead.
But her sweet smiling face cheer" d him on,
Though her heart sank within as he left.
And long in her mem'ry there lived that farewell,
"When I return we will be wed."

In the thickest of the battle, amidst the shot and shell,
Stood the soldier with the bravest of the brave,
When upon them came an awful charge, and with the rest he fell,
While struggling for his country's flag to save,
As his comrades gathered 'round him, "tell my sweetheart" were his
"Tell her gently, for too soon the news she'll learn," [words.
And then, as his soul took flight, he whispered while they raised him up,
"Tell her we'll be wed as soon as I return." -Cho.