The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #61264 Message #983950
Posted By: GUEST,gcarrier62@go.com
15-Jul-03 - 04:04 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Add: Custer's Last Charge 2
Subject: Lyr Add: CUSTER'S LAST CHARGE
Here is another version of Custer's Last Charge. I heard this from Volume III of Tom Glazer's "Musical Heritage of America" (CBC Records, 1974) I think the lyrics are also in a book entitled "Songs of the Southwest" or something to that effect.
CUSTER'S LAST CHARGE
It was just before Custer's last fierce charge,
Two soldiers drew their reins;
With a clasp of hands and a parting word,
For they might never meet again.
One had blue eyes and dark curly hair,
Just nineteen years, you know;
With a smile on his lips and down on his chin,
He was only a boy, you know.
The other was tall, dark, daring and proud,
But his faith in this world was dim;
He only trusted in those that he loved,
They were all the world to him.
They had rode together for many a day,
And marched for many a mile;
But never before had the foe they met,
With such a waning smile.
The tall dark man was the first to speak,
Saying "Charlie, my time has come;
We'll ride together into the fight,
But you'll ride out alone."
"I have a picture on my chest,
I'll wear it in the fight;
A picture that means all the world to me,
For it shines like the morning light."
"Like a morning light was her love to me,
To lighten my lonely life;
It is care that has caused her furrowed brow,
Since she's been my loving wife."
"Write to her, Charlie, when I'm gone,
Send back this fair, young face;
Tell her gently how I died,
And where is my resting place."
There were tears in the eyes of the blue-eyed boy,
And his voice was filled with pain;
"I'll do my comrade's parting wish,
If I ride home again."
"But if I should die, and you return,
Would you do as much for me?
I have a mother dear at home,
Write to her, tenderly."
"She's lost all one by one,
Husband and her sons;
I am the last of all her boys,
But bravely she sent me on."
Just then the order came to charge,
For an instant, hand touched hand;
They rode together into the fight,
That brave, devoted band.
They rode together to the top of the hill,
But the fight they could not gain;
And the few of those that lived through the fray,
Rode slowly back again.
But among the dead that were left behind,
Was the boy with the curly-hair;
And the tall, dark man that rode by his side,
Lie dying beside him there.
So none was left to tell the girl,
The words her lover said;
And the mother waiting at home for her boy,
Will learn that he is dead.