Poems (Eaton)/The Old Blue Coat

by Marcia Jane Eaton

THE OLD BLUE COAT.

TENDERLY care for the old blue coat!
Lovingly shake all its foldings out!
Private or officer, ask not to know,
Somebody wore it while facing the foe—
Standing up firmly on Liberty's part,
Dealing sure death-blows to treason's base heart,
Bearing all ills a true hero can bear,
Daring all deeds a stern soldier may dare,
Quailing not, though the swift bullet came nigh,
Striving to conquer, or bravely to die.

Lonely the picket and tiresome the beat,
Burdened the bosom and weary the feet,
Longing eyes turning to some smiling star,
Yearning thoughts resting on loved ones afar,
Parent or children dear, sweetheart or wife—
Visions of those held more closely than life,
Thronging the heart, and filling the throat,
Beating so wildly beneath the old coat—
Mem'ries of anguish and victory too
Hallow each seam of its well-worn blue:

Linger then lovingly o'er the old coat!
Cherish the visions that over it float!
Many a weary heart, ceasing to beat,
Silently claims it as winding sheet;
Peacefully resting, his life's battles done,
Conquered his last foe, his victory won;
Haply, while weeping ones mourn him as dead,
Angels, rejoicing, wreathe crowns for his head,
Cleansing all vestige of earth-bounded strife,
Robing the spirit for heavenly life.

Reverence pay to the garment which bears
Kinship so close to the loved stripes and stars!
Emblems alike of a roused nation's might,
Joined in the conflict for freedom and right,
Faltering never at duty's command;
Victory smiling, with laurels in hand,
Beckoned both onward, the tattered and brave,
Onward, the life of the country to save.
Planting then firmly the banner which holds
Freedom to all men, inscribed in its folds,
Proudly while o'er us the bright colors float,
Honored and loved be the old blue coat.

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