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24 Jun 05 - 05:03 PM (#1508974) Subject: Lyr Add: THE SANTA FE VOLUNTEER From: Q (Frank Staplin) Lyr. Add: THE SANTA FE VOLUNTEER Air- Mary's Dream, by John Lowe (A Civil War Song) O when I went away from you, it fill'd my heart with grief and woe; You gave to me the parting hand, wishing me safe in yonder land; Then to the wild West we did steer, across those plains and waters clear; But we arrived at Santa Fé after many a weary day. When we arrived at the place, health was blooming in ev'ry face; When scarce four months had passed by, two hundred of our men did die; Four of my messmates left this shore, and went where sorrow is no more; They paid the debt that all do owe- they left this world of grief and woe. While death was raging all around, but little health was to be found; And you could hear it daily said, another volunteer is dead! A few more lines I'll write to you, before I bid you all adieu; If I am spared two months or three, I hope to leave old Santa Fé. If ever I reach my native shore, these plains will I cross nevermore! I'll bid these Yankees all adieu, and forever stay with you; Ne'er more shall I wish to roam, but settle down and get a home! I'll marry me a handsome wife, and settle down with her for life. Francis D. Allan, 1874, "Allan's Lone Star Ballads, A Collection of Southern Patriotic Songs Made During Confederate Times," p. 150. Burt Franklin NY. Reprint Lenox Hill (Burt Franklin) 1970. The ill-fated "volunteers" were mostly Texans, under General Sibley. Author unknown. For a partial history, see "The Battle of Glorieta," 1862, in the "Handbook of Texas." Glorieta |