The night-cloud had lowered o'er Shiloh's red plain, And the blast howled sadly o'er wounded and slain; The lightning flashed vividly, fiercely and proud, And glared thro' the mist of the smoke and the cloud; The thunder pealed loudly from heaven's black sky, Where litely the cannon had pealed the war-cry; The last gun had been fired, and its moaning sound Had died 'way in the distance, and echoed around. Where the fight had raged fiercest, near a deep ravine, At the foot of a crag (a wild, thrilling scene), A soldier lay there all ghastly and gory, Who'd fall'n in the strife for freedom and glory! His life-blood was pouring from out a deep gash He'd received 'mid the battle's loud roar and fierce crash; "O mother! O mother! I never thought this, When but a mere child I received thy sweet kiss-- "That I'd die on a field all gory and red With the blood of the wounded, the dying and dead, With no friend or relation to cheer my dark way, But the forms of dear comrades all lifeless as clay, None to watch o'er me but the ghosts of the dead, None to smooth down the death-pillow 'neath my poor head; And sadly I think of my home in the South, Where I roam'd a mere boy in the pride of my youth. "When I scaled the steep crag o'er the river's wild roar, Or chased the fleet stag 'long the bright, sunny shore-- When I bounded in pride o'er valley and hill-- O memories, how sweet! ye haunt me now still. But away with the thoughts of my joyous boyhood, I'll face the grim monster death with calm fortitude: Then, mother, farewell! farewell, dearest mother; Farewell to my father, sisters and brother! "And when I am gone never utter a sigh, But remember your Charlie reigns proudly on high!" Then death flapp'd wildly his wings on the moor, As his soul took its flight to a heavenly shore-- The lightning flash'd fiercely, the howling winds surge, The thunder pealed loudly the hero's wild dirge! I REMEMBER THE HOUR WHEN SADLY WE PARTED. _Companion Song to "When this Cruel War is Over."_ I remember the hour when sadly we parted, The tears on your pale cheek glist'ning like dew, When clasped in your arms almost broken-hearted, I swore by the bright sky I'd ever be true, True to the love that nothing could sever, And true to the flag of my country forever. CHORUS.--Then weep not, love, oh! weep not, Think not our hopes are vain, For when this fatal war is over, We will surely meet again. Oh, let not, my own love, the summer winds winging Their sweet-laden zephyrs o'er land and o'er sea, Bring aught to your heart with the autumn birds singing, But hopes for the future and bright dreams of me; For while in your pure heart my mem'ry you're keeping, I ne'er can be lonely while waking or sleeping. CHORUS.