The poems of Madison Cawein

It's “Sweet, good-by,” when pennants fly
And ships put out to sea;
It 's a loving kiss, and a tear or two
In an eye of brown or an eye of blue:—
And you'll remember me,
Sweetheart,
And you'll remember me.

II

It's “Friend or foe?” when signals blow
And ships sight ships at sea;
It's “Clear for action! and man the guns!”
As the battle nears and the battle runs;—
And you'll remember me,
Sweetheart,
And you'll remember me.

III

It's deck to deck, and wrath and wreck,
When ships meet ships at sea;

377

It's scream of shot and shriek of shell,
And hull and turret a roaring hell;—
And you'll remember me,
Sweetheart,
And you'll remember me.

IV

It's doom and death, and pause a breath,
When ships go down at sea;
It's hate is over and love begins,
And war is cruel whoever wins;—
And you'll remember me,
Sweetheart,
And you'll remember me.

University of Virginia Library

WHEN SHIPS PUT OUT TO SEA

I

II

III

IV