My brave lad sleeps in his faded coat of blue

In a lonely silent grave lies the heart that beat so true

He sank faint and hungry among the famish'd brave

And they laid him sad and lonely within his nameless grave



He cried, ";Give me water and just a little crumb

And my mother she will bless you in all the years to come

Oh! tell my sweet sister, so gentle, good and true

That I'll meet her up in heaven, in my faded coat of blue."



No more the bugle calls the weary one

Rest, noble spirit in thy grave unknown

I'll find you and know you among the good and true

When a robe of white is giving for the faded coat of blue



Long, long years have vanished, and though he comes no more

Yet my heart will startling beat with each footfall at my door

I gaze over the hill where he waved a last adieu

But no gallant lad I see, in his faded coat of blue



No more the bugle calls the weary one

Rest, noble spirit in thy grave unknown

I'll find you and know you among the good and true

When a robe of white is giving for the faded coat of blue