Skip to content
1869–1908

THE CUSTER WAIL.

Alexander Hamilton Laidlaw

Dead! Where the bold and brave Blend in one bloody grave; Dead! With no coward clay Weltering in gore that day.

Dead! Dead! Ah!— Dead to me. Dead! With his boys in blue, Baptized in bloody dew. Dead! Where his enemy

Fled from his fearless eye. Dead! Dead! Ah!— Dead to me. Dead! Like a meteor, Flashed o'er the field of war.

Dead! With immortal pride, Glorious and glorified. Dead! Dead! Ah!— Dead to me. Dead! Where the captives sing

Saved by his rifle's ring. Dead! Where the painted brave Bled by his gory glaive. Dead! Dead! Ah!— Dead to me.

Dead! Where the feathered game Fell at his deadly aim. Dead! Where the buffalo Found him a gallant foe.

Dead! Dead! Ah!— Dead to me. Dead! Where the prairie steed Vainly exerts his speed. Dead! Where the antlered stag

Dies on the dizzy crag. Dead! Dead! Ah!— Dead to me. Dead! Where the valleys sink Low to the river's brink.

Dead! Where the mountains spring Higher than eagle's wing. Dead! Dead! Ah!— Dead to me. Dead! Where the solar glows

Eastward and upward rose. Dead! Where the evening's gold Westward and downward rolled. Dead! Dead! Ah!— Dead to me.

Dead! Where the streamy vales Murmur their tender tales. Dead! Where the ocean's roll Sobs for the passing soul.

Dead! Dead! Ah!— Dead to me. Dead! Where the thicket's throats Mingle their million notes. Dead! Where the forests dim

Tone their lone requiem. Dead! Dead! Ah!— Dead to me. Dead! Where the eagle's scream Shortens the hunter's dream.

Dead! Where the nightingale Trills out her lonely tale. Dead! Dead! Ah!— Dead to me. Dead! Where no maiden fair

Weaves with his waving hair. Dead! Where no darling sips Life from his loving lips. Dead! Dead! Ah!— Dead to me.

Dead! Where no woman's breast, Robbed of her love and rest, Flower with a fading leaf, Sinks in her silent grief.

Dead! Dead! Ah!— Dead to me. Dead! Nevermore to be. Dead! Nevermore to be. Dead! Evermore to me.

Dead! Evermore to me. Dead! Dead! Ah!— Dead to ME!

Cookies on Poetry Cove

We use cookies to remember your language preference and — only with your consent — to learn how Poetry Cove is used. You can change your mind any time.
THE CUSTER WAIL. · Alexander Hamilton Laidlaw · Poetry Cove