A widow had two sons,
And one knelt at her knees,
And sought to give her joy
And toiled to give her ease;
He heard his country's call
And longed to go, to die
If God so willed, but saw
Her tears and heard her sigh.
A widow had two sons,
One filled her days with care
And creased her brow and brought
Her many a whitened hair
His country called--he went.
Nor thought to say good-by,
And recklessly he fought,
And died as heroes die.
A widow had two sons,
One fell as heroes fall,
And one remained and toiled,
And gave to her his all.
She watched "her hero's" grave
In dismal days and fair,
And told the world her love,
Her heart was buried there.