C.S.A.
by Abram Joseph Ryan
(1838-1886)

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.

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