A beautiful Civil War duet, 1861
words and music by Henry Clay Work
This song was dedicated to the sisters of our volunteers. The verse is for soprano and alto. The chorus adds tenor and bass. Give the quarter notes in the bass their full time, with strongly marked accent.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by Werner Tomaschewski:
Lyics
- Heavily falls the rain; wild are the breezes tonight
But ‘neath the roof the hours as they fly
Are happy and calm and bright
Gathering round our fireside, tho’ it be summer time
We sit and talk of brothers abroad
Forgetting the midnight chime
Chorus
Brave boys are they! Gone at their country’s call
And yet and yet we cannot forget
That many brave boys must fall
- Under the homestead roof, nestled so cozy and warm
While soldiers sleep with little or naught
To shelter them from the storm
Resting on grassy couches, pillowed on hillocks damp
Of martial fare, how little we know
‘Til brothers are in the camp - Thinking no less of them, loving our country the more
We sent them forth to fight for the flag
Their fathers before them bore
Though the great tear drops started
This was our parting trust
God bless you, boys! we’ll welcome you home
When rebels are in the dust - May the bright wings of love
Guard them wherever they roam
The time has come when brothers must fight
And sisters must pray at home
Oh! The dread field of battle!
Soon to be strewn with graves
If brothers fall then bury them where
Our banner in triumph waves
Sung here by Fred Feild: