C.S.A. By Abram Joseph Ryan

    Do we weep for the heroes who died for us,
    Who living were true and tried for us,
    And dying sleep side by side for us;
        The Martyr-band
        That hallowed our land
    With the blood they shed in a tide for us?

    Ah! fearless on many a day for us
    They stood in front of the fray for us,
    And held the foeman at bay for us;
        And tears should fall
        Fore’er o’er all
    Who fell while wearing the gray for us.

    How many a glorious name for us,
    How many a story of fame for us
    They left: Would it not be a blame for us
        If their memories part
        From our land and heart,
    And a wrong to them, and shame for us?

    No, no, no, they were brave for us,
    And bright were the lives they gave for us;
    The land they struggled to save for us
        Will not forget
        Its warriors yet
    Who sleep in so many a grave for us.

    On many and many a plain for us
    Their blood poured down all in vain for us,
    Red, rich, and pure, like a rain for us;
        They bleed — we weep,
        We live — they sleep,
    “All lost,” the only refrain for us.

    But their memories e’er shall remain for us,
    And their names, bright names, without stain for us:
    The glory they won shall not wane for us,
        In legend and lay
        Our heroes in Gray
    Shall forever live over again for us.