THE SONG IN CAMP.
"The Song in Camp" is Bayard Taylor's best effort as far as young boys
and girls are concerned. It is a most valuable poem. I once heard a
clergyman in Chicago use it as a text for his sermon. Since then "Annie
Laurie" has become the song of the Labour party. "The Song in Camp"
voices a universal feeling. (1825-78.)
"Give us a song!" the soldiers cried,
The outer trenches guarding,
When the heated guns of the camps allied
Grew weary of bombarding.
The dark Redan, in silent scoff,
Lay, grim and threatening, under;
And the tawny mound of the Malakoff
No longer belched its thunder.
There was a pause. A guardsman said,
"We storm the forts to-morrow;
Sing while we may, another day
Will bring enough of sorrow."
They lay along the battery's side,
Below the smoking cannon:
Brave hearts, from Severn and from Clyde,
And from the banks of Shannon.
They sang of love, and not of fame;
Forgot was Britain's glory:
Each heart recalled a different name,
But all sang "Annie Laurie.
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