American Old Time Song Lyrics: 10 The Standard Bearer

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 10

THE STANDARD BEARER.

Upon the tented field a minstrel knight,
Beside his standard lonely watch was keeping;
And thus, amid the stillness of the night,
He strikes his lute while all around is sleeping.

Chorus.
The lady of my love I will not name.
Although I wear her colors as a token;
For I would fight for liberty and fame,
Beneath the flag where first our vows were spoken.

The night is past, the conflict's come with dawn,
The minstrel knight has seen its fortifying;
'Midst death and carnage onward still are borne,
His song is heard 'midst thousands around him dying.-Chorus.

Stern death now sated quits the gory-lain,
The life blood from the warrior-bard is streaming;
While on his flag he rests his head with pain,
And faintly sings his eyes with fervour beaming.

Chorus.
The lady of my love I will not name,
I'll still retain her colors as a token;
I've fought and fell for liberty and fame,
And never have our nightly vows been broken.