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Poem
January 29, 1862
The Star Of The North
Bloomsburg, Columbia County, Pennsylvania
What is this article about?
A dying sentry on the battlefield reflects on the fading watch fires, his comrades' victory, and his impending death, finding solace in heavenly angels and banners, while addressing his loved one and affirming his faithful duty to God.
Clipping
OCR Quality
98%
Excellent
Full Text
Choice Poetry.
THE SENTRY.
FROM THE GERMAN OF LOETHER.
They're gone-the watch fires they have set
Glow round the mountain passes yet;
Out through the darkness of the night
They flash a silent, flickering light.
They shine on victory's distant track,
Whence none, alas! for me comes back;
They let me bleed to death to-night,
True sentry, on the field of fight!
Hushed in the tumult of the fray,
The powder smoke is blown away;
Faint broken shouts fall on my ear,
My comrades are all far from here.
Yet, though my comrades all are far,
There gleams full many a golden star,
And angel bands light up on high
The eternal watch fires of the sky.
On, comrades, brave, to victory!
Farewell ye banners, high and free!
I can no longer be with you;
Another camp is near in view!
White banners, in the moonlight spread,
Float through the heavens above my head,
Slowly sinking now I see them wave
And flutter o'er a soldier's grave.
O loved one, 'tis the thought of thee
Alone weighs down this heart in me;
Yet weep not, love, be this the pride
That bravely at my post I died!
The Lord of Hosts, unseen, on high
Leads out the armies of the sky
Soon shall He call my name out clear,
And I true sentry answer: Here!
THE SENTRY.
FROM THE GERMAN OF LOETHER.
They're gone-the watch fires they have set
Glow round the mountain passes yet;
Out through the darkness of the night
They flash a silent, flickering light.
They shine on victory's distant track,
Whence none, alas! for me comes back;
They let me bleed to death to-night,
True sentry, on the field of fight!
Hushed in the tumult of the fray,
The powder smoke is blown away;
Faint broken shouts fall on my ear,
My comrades are all far from here.
Yet, though my comrades all are far,
There gleams full many a golden star,
And angel bands light up on high
The eternal watch fires of the sky.
On, comrades, brave, to victory!
Farewell ye banners, high and free!
I can no longer be with you;
Another camp is near in view!
White banners, in the moonlight spread,
Float through the heavens above my head,
Slowly sinking now I see them wave
And flutter o'er a soldier's grave.
O loved one, 'tis the thought of thee
Alone weighs down this heart in me;
Yet weep not, love, be this the pride
That bravely at my post I died!
The Lord of Hosts, unseen, on high
Leads out the armies of the sky
Soon shall He call my name out clear,
And I true sentry answer: Here!
What sub-type of article is it?
Ballad
Elegy
What themes does it cover?
War Military
Death Mourning
Religious Faith
What keywords are associated?
Sentry
Watch Fires
Battlefield
Dying Soldier
Victory
Heavenly Banners
Religious Duty
What entities or persons were involved?
From The German Of Loether.
Poem Details
Title
The Sentry.
Author
From The German Of Loether.
Subject
Dying Sentry On The Battlefield
Form / Style
Rhymed Quatrains
Key Lines
They're Gone The Watch Fires They Have Set
Glow Round The Mountain Passes Yet;
They Let Me Bleed To Death To Night,
True Sentry, On The Field Of Fight!
On, Comrades, Brave, To Victory!
Farewell Ye Banners, High And Free!
O Loved One, 'Tis The Thought Of Thee
Alone Weighs Down This Heart In Me;
The Lord Of Hosts, Unseen, On High
Leads Out The Armies Of The Sky