Long Ago - Bobby Horton

Long ago we were boys in the ranks, comrades

Our hearts light and happy as the day

Cheeks were ruddy, eyes were bright, locks were dark

Comrades

As we marched from our homes far away

But now we are aged and gray, comrades

Trials of life are nearly done

Our bosoms were bared to the foe, comrade

When you and I were young

Long ago we were marching away, comrades

Our flags to the breeze gaily flung

Our bosoms were bare to the full, comrades

When you and I were young

But now we are aged and gray, comrades

Trials of life are nearly done

Our bosoms were bared to the foe, comrade

When you and I were young

Long ago we were camping in storms, comrades

Our courage and muscles tightly strung

But no army could drive us away, comrades

When you and I were young

But now we are aged and gray, comrades

Trials of life are nearly done

Our bosoms were bared to the foe, comrade

When you and I were young

Long ago we were falling fast, comrades

Our ranks daily much thinner grew

Our courage the cause could not win, comrades

When the men in the ranks were so few

But now we are aged and gray, comrades

Trials of life are nearly done

Our bosoms were bared to the foe, comrade

When you and I were young

Staggering and bleeding alone, comrades

Outnumbered three to one everywhere

The world coldly watching our fates, comrades

With not even a sigh or a tear

But now we are aged and gray, comrades

Trials of life are nearly done

Our bosoms were bared to the foe, comrade

When you and I were young

As fall heroes struggling for their homes, comrades

So fell the soldiers in gray

Their honor yet unsullied, comrades

For that which ennobles brave men

Though now we are aged and gray, comrades

And trials of life are nearly done

To us life’s as dear as it was, comrades

When you and I were young