A popular song from 1905.
Words by Arthur J. Lamb.
Music by J. Fred Helf.
The sheet music:
Accompaniment by James Pitt-Payne:
Lyrics
- A soldier’s sweetheart in the ballroom
Had promised that she’d be his bride
When a call to arms came from the distance
“My country now wants me,” he cried
A dreamy waltz starts and she pleaded
“Oh, dance with me ere you go”
He answered, “I cannot te waiting”
And then as they kissed, murmured low
Chorus
The waltz must change to a march, Marie
I must march with the flag they fly
At the bugles call with my comrades all
We must dare and do or die
So, a goodbye press to my loving heart
And a glance in your eyes so true
For the waltz must change to a march, Marie
I must march away from you
- She’s roaming alone in the garden
The ballroom waltz strains fill the air
Then she looks at the stars bright and golden
And thinks, is my soldier boy there?
But hark, there’s a step no he’s with her
Sweetheart, I have come back to thee
Then he says, as they hear the waltz echoes
“The next shall a wedding march be”
Sung here by Laurence Rubenstein: