Poems (Trask)/Coming Home

For works with similar titles, see Coming Home.

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COMING HOME.
"ELEVENTH NEW HAMPSHIRE."
Oh, God be thanked that from the depth  Of War's distressing night We see, across the Southern hills,  At last, a gleam of light! The spotless hand of Peace holds out  The olive-branch and palm, And o'er this harassed land of ours  There falls a space of calm; ​Yes, God be thanked! lift up the cry! And, June winds, bear it flitting by,    Laden with summer balm.
From many a bloody field  Behold the heroes come! We've doubted long; but now we see  Our soldiers coming home! Worn, and unkempt, and rough,  Scarred, and in coarse array, But bearing still the same true hearts  They took with them away! Oh, welcome them with heart and hand, The gallant, loyal, faithful band    Who come to us to-day!
We miss some faces that we knew:  Beneath the Southern grass They lie, with eyes that do not note  The shadows as they pass; With cold ears deaf to all the sound  Of martial fife and drum Which thrills upon the summer air  And calls their comrades home! But heaven is just as near their rest, And God, who loves those brave ones best,    Has spoke the sweet word, "Come!"
Welcome to all the boys in blue!  They've earned the right to fame! We speak of them, and own with pride  There's something in a name! ​God bless the feet that trampled down  The banner of the bars,—And bless the hands that held aloft  The glorious stripes and stars! And let the brazen bells ring clear, And let the people, cheer on cheer,    Welcome these men of scars!

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