A popular song from 1904
Words by Morris S. Silver
Music by Thos. R. Confare
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- It was at the close of day
In Japan so far away
When a lover to his sweetheart bade goodbye
A young Japanese was he
With a sturdy heart so free
True unto his country dear for which he’d die
As he stood close by her side
From her eyes the tears he dried
Then upon his breast she gently laid her head
Soothingly he tried to speak
As he softly stroked her cheek
In his native tongue these words are what he said
Chorus:
It is duty that calls me to the front
So I must go
To fight for might and gain our right
On sea against our foe
Our nation’s flag I’ll help defend
I’ll do the best I can
Remember I’ll be fighting for
The cause of old Japan
- As the warships sailed away
To the thickest of the fray
See in uniform this faithful Japanese
As his ship starts way from land
See a maiden wave her hand
While her gentle voice is carried thro’ the breeze
Day by day she waits to hear
From her soldier boy so dear
And in her dreams at night they often roam
Tho’ they’re many miles apart
Still way deep down in her heart
She keeps longing for a day
When he’ll come home