The Letter Of Sullivan Ballou

My very dear wife, I watch tonight

While many men dream of home

Your memory commands my mind

And soldier’s heart of stone

I long to roll inside your arms

And hold you like before

But when you wake tomorrow morn

I may be with you no more

Fair Edgar’s frolics I fondly see

As campfires flicker and burn

Though Willie can scarcely remember me

I trust I’ll one day return

But evil men with cruel desire

Have sworn to wound us all

And we must counter fire with fire

Lest freedom forever fall

I fear I was not as kind, my love

As ev’ry husband should be

My imperfections are insufficient

Cause for injuring thee

If I could wash with tears alone

Ev’ry blemish on your bliss

I’d make your dreams come true once more

Just like our very first kiss

If I am stricken by stranger’s hand

And stumble onto my shin

I’ll whisper with my last utterance

Your name into the wind

No cannonball that makes us crawl

No sword which tears my skin

Can e’er lay bare this love we share

And know forever within

If mortal games come between us now

Fear not that I will be gone

In garish days and darkest nights

My spirit motions you on

For I shall watch in sweet reprise

Ev’ry moment of your life

To brush your face with softest breeze

Oh Sarah, my darling wife