Richmond On The James

Our land is filled with mourning, from Bourbon to Malone

And many wives and mothers are weeping, sad and alone

For many youthful heroes are among the noble slain

On a blood-red field near Richmond

Fair Richmond on the James

A soldier boy at Richmond lay gasping on the field

The battle strife was over and the foe was forced to yield

But fell one noble hero before the foe-man's aim

On the blood-stained field at Richmond

Fair Richmond on the James

A comrade stood beside him as his lifeblood ebbed away

They had been chums together since boyhood's early day

Together they had struggled 'mid strife and grief and pain

But to part that night at Richmond

Fair Richmond on the James

He said, "My noble comrade, you will miss me for awhile

But the faces that once loved us, again on you will smile

Again you will be foremost in all the village games

While I lie here at Richmond

Fair Richmond on the James"

Take the sword home to my brother, and the star upon my breast

To my young and gentle sister, the one that I loved best

And a brown lock from my forehead to my mother who still dreams

Of the safe return of her soldier boy

From Richmond on the James