Do you see that stately column, Children dear, Lifting its gray head to heaven, Year by year? Telling of the battle fought, Telling of the good work wrought, Telling of the victory bought, Bought so dear! Oh! the costly blood that flowed, Children mine! Fast as from the purple grapes Flows the wine! Oh! the heroes lying dead! Oh! the women's hearts that bled! Oh! the bitter tears they shed, Children mine! Long ago the tears were dried, Children dear! Long ago the weepers died, Year by year. But the column old and gray Tells the story day by day. "Victory!" it seems to say. "Victory's here!" |