BY-AND-BYE

“By-and-bye,” the maiden sighed—“by-and-bye

He will claim me for his bride,

Hope is strong and time is fleet;

Youth is fair, and love is sweet,

Clouds will pass that fleck my sky,

He will come back by-and-bye—by-and-bye.”

“By-and-bye,” the soldier said—“by-and-bye,

After I have fought and bled,

I shall go home from the wars,

Crowned with glory, seamed with scars.

Joy will flash from some one’s eye

When she greets me by-and-bye—by-and-bye.”

“By-and-bye,” the mother cried—“by-and-bye,

Strong and sturdy at my side,

Like a staff supporting me,

Will my bonnie baby be.

Break my rest, then, wail and cry—

Thou’lt repay me by-and-bye—by-and-bye.”

Fleeting years of time have sped—hurried by—

Still the maiden is unwed:

All unknown the soldier lies,

Buried under alien skies;

And the son, with blood-shot eye,

Saw his mother starve and die.

God in Heaven! dost Thou on high,

Keep the promised “by-and-bye”—by-and-bye?