‘61 to ‘17

Yes, you are going, God only knows where,

     It matters not much, ‘tis true;

You are going we know not for pomp or show,

     There’s a duty for you to do.

Good bye my lad, – it is breaking my heart –

     And you are my only son;

You are going today to the far away –

     But I – went – in ’61.

God bless and keep you wherever you go,

     I’d not have you here remain;

Just follow the flag with never a lag,

     And keep it from soil and stain.

Good bye, my lad, it’s breaking my heart –

     But go – take God – and your gun;

And gloriously fight for justice and right –

     I did it in ’61.

Sept. 21, 1917