Charles L. S. Jones

Tune—“The Flaxen-headed Ploughboy”

WHEN the clarion war-blast blowing,

Broke loud o’er Freedom’s plain;

And old England’s red flag, flowing,

Swept proudly o’er the main;

I heard Columbia’s war-note

Inspiring, loud and high,

On answering echoes borne, float

Through Freedom’s natal sky:

And, while my heart beat proud in joy,

Though Love behind sigh’d sad,

My father’s sword I girded on,

A young and soldier lad.

By the battle’s rage surrounded,

(Where fell Destruction smiled

O’er the dying and the wounded,

Of life and hope despoil’d;)

Nor fear nor doubt betray’d me

Where veteran legions bled,

Nor coward lingering stay’d me,

Nor droop’d my towering head:

And though I wept war’s ruthless pangs,

In pensive silence sad,

Yet for Liberty my broadsword flash’d—

A young and soldier lad.

And now war’s shock is over,

And peace resumes her reign;

Still a young and ardent lover,

I seek my fair again.

If she, as when we parted,

With kindly feeling glow,

She shall find me still true-hearted

To friend as well as foe;

Nor longer shall her bosom throb,

In anxious sorrow sad,

But clasp me to her arms in joy,

Her own young soldier lad.