"By?and?by," the maiden sighed—"by?and?by
He will claim me for his bride,
Hope is strong and time is fleet;
Youth is fair, and love is sweet,
Clouds will pass that fleck my sky.
He will come back by?and?by—by?and?by."
"By?and?by," the soldier said—"by?and?by,
After I have fought and bled,
I shall go home from the wars,
Crowned with glory, seamed with scars.
Joy will flash from some one's eye
When she greets me by?and?by—by?and?by."
"By?and?by," the mother cried—"by?and?by,
Strong and sturdy at my side,
Like a staff supporting me,
Will my bonnie baby be.
Break my rest, then, wail and cry—
Thou'lt repay me by?and?by—by?and?by."
Fleeting years of time have sped—hurried by—
Still the maiden is unwed;
All unknown the soldier lies,
Buried under alien skies;
And the son, with blood?shot eye
Saw his mother starve and die.
God in Heaven! dost Thou on high,
Keep the promised by?and?by—by?and?by?