C.S.A.

C.S.A

by Abram Joseph Ryan

Do we weep for the heroes who died for us,
Who living were true and tried for us,
And dying sleep side by side for us;
The Martyr-band
That hallowed our land
With the blood they shed in a tide for us?
Ah! fearless on many a day for us
They stood in front of the fray for us,
And held the foeman at bay for us;
And tears should fall
Fore'er o'er all
Who fell while wearing the gray for us.
How many a glorious name for us,
How many a story of fame for us
They left: Would it not be a blame for us
If their memories part
From our land and heart,
And a wrong to them, and shame for us?
No, no, no, they were brave for us,
And bright were the lives they gave for us;
The land they struggled to save for us
Will not forget
Its warriors yet
Who sleep in so many a grave for us.
On many and many a plain for us
Their blood poured down all in vain for us,
Red, rich, and pure, like a rain for us;
They bleed -- we weep,
We live -- they sleep,
"All lost," the only refrain for us.
But their memories e'er shall remain for us,
And their names, bright names, without stain for us:
The glory they won shall not wane for us,
In legend and lay
Our heroes in Gray
Shall forever live over again for us.

This is a poem that I have enjoyed reading from time to time over the years. The photo was taken in Selma, Alabama at Live Oak Cemetery in May 2012. There are so many men who fought and died who are "Unknown, but to God". They rest in unmarked graves or graves with markers such as the one above. Their loss is no more less than those who are known but they are lost to history.

May they all rest in peace.









Photo is owned by me. If you wish to use this photo please contact me at jwheeler331@gmail.com
Thank you for taking the time to look. Please feel free to comment.