The Dying Ranger
1. The sun was sinking in the west and fell in ling'ring
rays Through the branches of a forest where a
wounded soldier lay. On the banks of the Potomac,
'neath the southron, sultry sky, Far
from his loved New England home, they've laid him down to die.
2 Now, a group had gathered round him, comrades with him in the fight,
And a tear fell down each manly cheek as they bade him last good-night.
One kind friend and companion was kneeling by his side,
Striving to quench his life's blood, but alas, in vain he tried.
3 His heart filled with deep anguish as he saw 'twas all in vain,
And upon his loved companion the tears fell down like rain.
Then up spoke the dying soldier, saying, “Harry, weep no more for me.
I am crossing the dark river, beyond where all are free.
4 “Listen, comrades, gather round me; I have something I would say.
I have something I would tell you ere my soul has passed away.
Far away in loved New England, 'neath that dear old home estate,
Lives one who awaits my coming, with a saddened heart doth wait.
5 “Now, a fair young girl, my sister, my blessing and my pride,
My early care from childhood; I had none else beside.
I've no mother—she is sleeping beneath the churchyard sod.
It's been many, many years since her spirit went to God.
6 “I've no father—he is sleeping beneath the cold, dark sea.
I've no brothers, I've no kindred, there was only Nell and me.
I have loved her with a brother's love and with a father's care;
I have strove from grief and sorrow her tender heart to spare.
7 “When our country was invaded and they called for volunteers,
She threw her arms around me, and bursting into tears,
Saying, ‘Go, my darling brother, drive the traitors from our shore.
My heart it craves thy presence, yet thy country needs thee more.
8 “‘My heart seems almost breaking, but I would not bid thee stay,
But here in our old homestead, I will watch the [I'll watch for thee?] day by day.’
Now, my comrades, I am dying and I ne'er shall see her more.
She will vainly wait my coming at our little cottage door.
9 “Listen, comrades, gather round me, listen to my dying prayer.
Who will shield her with a brother's love and with a father's care?”
Then the soldiers spoke together, like one voice it seemed to fall:
“She shall be to us a sister! We'll protect her, one and all.”
10 One smile of radiant brightness and away his life's blood ebbed,
One good-by for his sister and the soldier boy was dead.
On the banks of the Potomac they have laid him down to rest
With his knapsack for a pillow and his gun upon his breast.
rays Through the branches of a forest where a
wounded soldier lay. On the banks of the Potomac,
'neath the southron, sultry sky, Far
from his loved New England home, they've laid him down to die.
2 Now, a group had gathered round him, comrades with him in the fight,
And a tear fell down each manly cheek as they bade him last good-night.
One kind friend and companion was kneeling by his side,
Striving to quench his life's blood, but alas, in vain he tried.
3 His heart filled with deep anguish as he saw 'twas all in vain,
And upon his loved companion the tears fell down like rain.
Then up spoke the dying soldier, saying, “Harry, weep no more for me.
I am crossing the dark river, beyond where all are free.
4 “Listen, comrades, gather round me; I have something I would say.
I have something I would tell you ere my soul has passed away.
Far away in loved New England, 'neath that dear old home estate,
Lives one who awaits my coming, with a saddened heart doth wait.
5 “Now, a fair young girl, my sister, my blessing and my pride,
My early care from childhood; I had none else beside.
I've no mother—she is sleeping beneath the churchyard sod.
It's been many, many years since her spirit went to God.
6 “I've no father—he is sleeping beneath the cold, dark sea.
I've no brothers, I've no kindred, there was only Nell and me.
I have loved her with a brother's love and with a father's care;
I have strove from grief and sorrow her tender heart to spare.
7 “When our country was invaded and they called for volunteers,
She threw her arms around me, and bursting into tears,
Saying, ‘Go, my darling brother, drive the traitors from our shore.
My heart it craves thy presence, yet thy country needs thee more.
8 “‘My heart seems almost breaking, but I would not bid thee stay,
But here in our old homestead, I will watch the [I'll watch for thee?] day by day.’
Now, my comrades, I am dying and I ne'er shall see her more.
She will vainly wait my coming at our little cottage door.
9 “Listen, comrades, gather round me, listen to my dying prayer.
Who will shield her with a brother's love and with a father's care?”
Then the soldiers spoke together, like one voice it seemed to fall:
“She shall be to us a sister! We'll protect her, one and all.”
10 One smile of radiant brightness and away his life's blood ebbed,
One good-by for his sister and the soldier boy was dead.
On the banks of the Potomac they have laid him down to rest
With his knapsack for a pillow and his gun upon his breast.
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