"Draw closer to me, comrades, And listen to what I say, I am going to tell a story While my spirit hastens away. Way back in Northwest Texas, That good old Lone Star state, There is one that for my coming With a weary heart will wait. "A fair young girl, my sister, My only joy, my pride, She was my friend from boyhood, I had no one left beside. I have loved her as a brother, And with a father's care I have strove from grief and sorrov Her gentle heart to spare. "My mother, she lies sleeping Beneath the church-yard sod, And many a day has passed away Since her spirit fled to God. My father, he lies sleeping Beneath the deep blue sea, I have no other kindred, There are none but Nell and me. "But our country was invaded And they called for volunteers; She threw her arms around me, Then burst into tears, Saying, 'Go, my darling brother, Drive those traitors from our shore, My heart may need your presence, But our country needs you more.' "It is true I love my country, For her I gave my all. If it hadn't been for my sister, I would be content to fall. I am dying, comrades, dying, She will never see me more, But in vain she'll wait my coming By our little cabin door. "Comrades, gather closer And listen to my dying prayer. Who will be to her as a brother, And shield her with a brother's care?" Up spake the noble rangers, They answered one and all, "We will be to her as brothers Till the last one does fall." One glad smile of pleasure O'er the ranger's face was spread; One dark, convulsive shadow, And the ranger boy was dead. Far from his darling sister We laid him down to rest With his saddle for a pillow And his gun across his breast. The Dying Ranger (Mus. Not.) The sun was sink-ing in the west, And fell with lin-g'ring ray Through the branches of the for-est,... Where a wound-ed ran-ger lay; 'Neath the shade of a pal-met-to ... And the sun-set sil-v'ry sky, Far a-way from his home in Tex-as,... They laid him down to die. THE FAIR FANNIE MOORE Yonder stands a cottage, All deserted and alone, Its paths are neglected, With grass overgrown; Go in and you will see Some dark stains on the floor,-- Alas! it is the blood Of fair Fannie Moore. To Fannie, so blooming, Two lovers they came; One offered young Fannie His wealth and his name; But neither his money Nor pride could secure A place in the heart Of fair Fannie Moore. The first was young Randell, So bold and so proud, Who to the fair Fannie His haughty head bowed; But his wealth and his house Both failed to allure The heart from the bosom Of fair Fannie Moore. The next was young Henry, Of lowest degree. He won her fond love And enraptured was he; And then at the altar He quick did secure The hand with the heart Of the fair Fannie Moore.