Lyrics:

(Traditional)


The hours sad I left a maid

A lingering farewell taking

Whose sighs and tears my steps delayed

I thought her heart was breaking

In hurried words her name I blest

I breathed the vows that bind me

And to my heart in anguish pressed

The girl I left behind me



Then to the east we bore away

To win a name in story

And there where dawns the sun of day

There dawned our sun of glory

The place in my sight

When in the host assigned me

I shared the glory of that fight

Sweet girl I left behind me



Though many a name our banner bore

Of former deeds of daring

But they were of the day of yore

In which we had no sharing

But now our laurels freshly won

With the old one shall entwine me

Singing worthy of our size each son

Sweet girl I left behind me



The hope of final victory

Within my bosom burning

Is mingling with sweet thoughts of thee

And of my fond returning

But should I n'eer return again

Still with thy love i'll bind me

Dishonors breath shall never stain

The name I leave behind me