From The Assembly Song Book by Frank Reader Rix (New York: The A. S. Barnes Company, 1907), page 102, where it appears with musical notation for piano and 2 voices:


THE TWO GRENADIERS

To France were returning two grenadiers.
In Russia had they been taken,
And when they came to the German frontier,
Their courage was sadly shaken.

'Twas there that they both heard the sorrowful tale
That France's proud realm had been shaken,
Defeated and scatter'd the valiant host,
And the Emp'ror, the Emp'ror been taken.

How bitterly wept then the grenadiers
At hearing the terrible story;
And one then said: "Alas, once more
My wounds are bleeding and gory."

The other said: "My sun is set.
With thee I would die gladly,
But I've a wife and child at home.
Without me they'd fare badly."

"What matters my wife? What matters my child?
A heavier care has arisen.
Let them beg or pray, when they hungry are.
My emperor sighs in a prison.

"Oh, grant me, brother, but one prayer:
If my hours I now must number,
Take with thee my corpse to my native land.
In France let me peacefully slumber.

"My legion's cross with ribbon red
Then on my bosom place thou.
Give me my musket in my hand.
My sword around me brace thou.

"Thus will I listen and lie so still
And watch like a guard o'er the forces,
Until the roaring of cannon I hear,
And trampling of neighing horses.

"Then over my grave will my emperor ride,
While swords gleam brightly and rattle.
Then arm'd to the teeth will I rise from the grave
For my Emp'ror, my Emp'ror to battle."