THE YOUNG VOLUNTEER
By John Hill Hewitt (1863)
(1801-1890)


Our flag is unfurl'd and our arms flash bright,
As the sun lights up the sky;
But ere I join the doubtful fight,
Lovely maid, I would say "Good bye."
I'm a young volunteer, and my heart is true
To our flag that woos the wind;
Then three cheers for that flag and our country, too,
And the girls we leave behind.

CHORUS: Then adieu, adieu, 'tis the last bugle's strain
That is falling on the ear;
Should it so be decreed that we ne'er meet again,
Oh, remember the Young Volunteer.

When over the desert, thro' burning rays,
With a heavy heart I tread;
Or when I breast the cannon's blaze,
And bemoan my comrades dead,
Then, then will I think of my home and you,
And our flag shall kiss the wind;
With huzza for our cause and our country, too,
And the girls we leave behind.

CHORUS 

Songs of the Confederacy