The hour was sad, I left the maid, A lingering farewell taking, Her sighs and tears, her steps delayed, I thought her heart was breaking. In herid words, her name I blessed, I breathed the vows that bind me, And to my heart an anguish pressed The girl I left behind me. Then to the south we bore away, To win a name in story, And there where dawns the sun of day, There dawned our sun of glory, Both blazed in noon on freedom's height, Wherein the post assigned me, I shared the glory of that fight, Sweet girl I left behind me. Full many a name our banners bore, Of former deeds of daring, But they were days of seventy-six, In which we had no sharing, But now our laurels freshly won, With the old ones shall entwine thee, Still worthy of our sires each sun, 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 ne'er return again, Still worth thy love thou'lt find me, Dishonor's breath shall never stain, The name I left behind me.