Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Poetry and Incidents., Volume 8.
Frank Moore, Ed.

20. when the boys come home.

by John hay.

There's a happy time coming
     When the boys come home,
There's a glorious day coming
     When the boys come home.
We will end the dreadful story
     Of this treason dark and gory
In a sun-burst of glory
     When the boys come home.

The day will seem brighter
     When the boys come home;
For our hearts will be lighter
     When the boys come home.
Wives and sweethearts will press them
     In their arms, and caress them,
And pray God to bless them,
     When the boys come home.

The thinned ranks will be proudest
     When the boys come home,
And their cheer will ring the loudest
     When the boys come home.
The full ranks will be shattered,
     And the bright arms will be battered,
And the battle-standards tattered,
     When the boys come home.

Their bayonets may be rusty
     When the boys come home,
And their uniforms dusty
     When the boys come home;
But all shall see the traces
     Of battle's royal graces
In the brown and bearded faces
     When the boys come home.

Our love shall go to meet them
     When the boys come home,
To bless them and to greet them
     When the boys come home.
And the fame of their endeavor
     Time and change shall not dissever
From the nation's heart for ever
     When the boys come home.