| James and Mary Ford, eds. Every Day in the Year. 1902. | | | | June 3 | | Eight Volunteers | | By Lansing C. Bailey (1864–1923) |
| | | EIGHT volunteers! on an errand of death! | |
| Eight men! Who speaks? | |
| Eight men to go where the cannon’s hot breath | |
| Burns black the cheeks. | |
| Eight men to man the old Merrimac’s hulk; | 5 |
| Eight men to sink the old steamer’s black bulk, | |
| Blockade the channel where Spanish ships skulk,— | |
| Eight men! Who speaks? | |
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| “Eight volunteers!” said the Admiral’s flags! | |
| Eight men! Who speaks? | 10 |
| Who will sail under El Morro’s black crags?— | |
| Sure death he seeks. | |
| Who is there willing to offer his life? | |
| Willing to march to this music of strife,— | |
| Cannon for drum and torpedo for fife? | 15 |
| Eight men! Who speaks? | |
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| Eight volunteers! on an errand of death! | |
| Eight men! Who speaks? | |
| Was there a man who in fear held his breath? | |
| With fear-paled cheeks? | 20 |
| From ev’ry war-ship ascended a cheer! | |
| From ev’ry sailor’s lips burst the word “Here!” | |
| Four thousand heroes their lives volunteer! | |
| Eight men! Who speaks? | | | | |
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