tells the story of a drummer boy
who
met his death in the battle. The details were put in rhyme and set to music
by
Will Shakespeare Hays, who wrote music for a publishing firm in Louisville.
Richard Harwell notes that "the sentimentality of the piece brought it
immediate
popularity in a period of the war when the folks at home wanted just such
outlets for their emotion" (76).
On
Shiloh's dark and blood ground, the dead and wounded lay. Amongst them was a
drummer boy, that beat the drum that day. A wounded soldier raised him up,
His
drum was by his side. He clasped his hands and raised his eyes and prayed
before
he died: Look down upon the battle field, Oh Thou, our Heav'nly friend,
Have mercy on our sinful souls. The soldiers cried, "Amen." For gather'd
round a little group, Each brave man knelt and cried. They listen'd to the
drummer boy who prayed before he died. "Oh Mother!" said the dying boy, "Look
down from Heav'n on me." Receive me to thy fond embrace, Oh take me home to
thee. I've loved my country as my God, To serve them both I've tried." He
smiled, shook hands. Death seized the boy who prayed before he died. Each
soldier wept then like a child, Stout hearts were they and brave. They
wrote
upon a simple board these words "This is a guide To those who mourn the
drummer
boy who prayed before he died." (Harwell 77)
