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Custer's Last Charge
Just before brave Custer's charge
Two soldiers drew their reins,
With parting words and clasping hands
That they might never meet again.
One was a tall and slendery lad,
and had trusted in the one
that he loved so best, so well,
For she's all this world to him.
"Upon my breast I have a face,
I'll wear it in a fight;
A face that is all this world to me
For she cherished a lovely smile,
And little have I cared for another face
Since she promised to be my wife.
"Will you write to her, Charlie, when I am gone,
Send back that fair fond face,
And tell her how gently I died
And where was my resting place."
Tears filled the eyes of the blue-eyed boy
And his sad heart filled with pain.
"I'll do your bidding, brave comrade mine,
If I never do meet again.
"But if I get killed will you ride back
And do as much for me?
I have a mother who's waiting at home
And she's all the world to me.
One by one she lost us all,
She lost both husband and son,
And I was the last that our country called
and she kissed me and sent me on."
Just then the order came up to charge,
With an instant clasp of hands,
And on and on they rode,
This brave and devoted band.
They returned from the hill but they could not gain
for out of the gathering doom
Where the Indians shot like hail
And they poured out death on Custer's ranks
And scalped them as they fell.
Among the dead who were left behind
Was a boy with curly hair,
And the cold dark form that rode by his side
Lay dead beside him there.
No one was left to tell the blue-eyed girl
The last words that her lover had said,
But the aged mother who's waiting at home
Will learn that her boy is dead.
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