A soldier is leaving his sweetheart, 1904
words by Edward Madden
music by Theodore F. Morse
This is a march song and chorus. It has a recurring song theme. There was no U. S. war at the time. It could have been referring to the Spanish-American War of a few years earlier. It is not clear if this was the soldier’s first battle tour. It is clear that he got killed in action.
The sheet music:
Lyrics
- Blue Bell, the dawn is waking
Sweetheart you must not sigh
Blue Bell, my heart is breaking
I’ve come to say goodbye
Hear how the bugle’s calling
Calling to each brave heart
Sweetheart your tears are falling
Blue Bell, we two must part
Chorus
Goodbye, my Blue Bell, farewell to you
One last fond look into your eyes so blue
‘Mid campfires gleaming, ‘mid shot and shell
I will be dreaming of my own Blue Bell
- Blue Bell, they are returning
Each greets a sweetheart true
Blue Bell, your heart is yearning
Never a one greets you
Sadly they tell the story
Tell how he fought and fell
No thought of fame or glory
Only of his Blue Bell
Sung here by Fred Feild: