American Old Time Song Lyrics: 42 The Veterans Story

Theater, Music-Hall, Nostalgic, Irish & Historic Old Songs, Volume 42

THE VETERANS STORY.
Copyright, 1894, by Frank Harding.
Words and Music by Julian Jordan.

It was a bright June morning, out on the great highway,
When with the throng that passed along, together we did stray;
He was a veteran honored, he was a soldier true,
Back in the days of war and strife he wore the coat of blue.
And as we aimless wandered on, came from across the way
A woman dressed in black, whose hair had long since turned to gray,
Soon he was by her side to help her cross the crowded way,
Gallant as knight to lady fair, there on that bright June day.
And then he told this story, told of a comrade brave,
Who fought and fell at Shiloh, and fills a soldier's grave;
He was this mother's only son, and tho' afar he's sleeping,
Still in her heart he lives alway, love's faithful trust she's keeping.

It was a bright spring morning, O well remembered day,
Proudly we marched on that glad morn, proudly marched away;
And there we saw hard fighting, there 'neath the southern sun,
For many deeds of valor great, honor and fame he won.
And then one day a fearful charge laid this brave soldier low;
"Closer, comrade, closer come, near me before I go,
Tell me you'll be to mother dear, oh, be to her a son,
I was her all, O God, 'tis hard," and then his life was done.
This was the veteran's story, told of a soldier brave,
Who fought and fell at Shiloh, and fills a soldier's grave;
He was this mother's only son, he was her pride and glory,
Her only son, and him she gave, this was the vet'ran's story.