by George Cooper (1840 - 1927)
The soldier's home
Language: English
The weary soldier reaches home at pleasant eventide, He fondly kisses those he loves, all gath'ring by his side. His gentle wife is ling'ring near, his boy is on his knee, Beguiling evening's tranquil joys, with childhood's prattling glee. Chorus: How happy is the soldier to be once more at home! But sorrow falls on those he loves when parting time has come. Oh! joyful is the soldier's heart to be once more at home, To meet his wife and children dear and cease awhile to roam, What bliss beneath his cottage roof with Hope and Love and cheer, To pass the happy moments by with all that life holds dear. But hark! the drum; it loudly beats upon the ear of night, It calls to arms! wake! comrade wake! and rally for the fight! The soldier's joy is over now for 'mid the battle's roar; 'Mid clanging steel and hissing ball he sleeps forevermore.
Authorship:
- by George Cooper (1840 - 1927) [author's text not yet checked against a primary source]
Musical settings (art songs, Lieder, mélodies, (etc.), choral pieces, and other vocal works set to this text), listed by composer (not necessarily exhaustive):
- by Stephen Collins Foster (1826 - 1864), "The soldier's home", published 1863. [voice and piano] [text verified 1 time]
Researcher for this page: Laura Prichard [Guest Editor]
This text was added to the website: 2015-12-26
Line count: 15
Word count: 155