Forest City press. (Forest City, Potter County, D.T. [S.D.]) 1883-19??, 1916-07-12

In English speaking countries 1t is al
most a certainty that when a fesihiehl
caves its home town or one Whlch IL mas
occupied for some time. or whenever a
man of war weighs anchor, the band will
strike up 1.-THE Girl l Left Behind Me.
The song was sung in America during the
evolutionary war. Some chrohlclei'
contend that it was introduced into the
British army about this time, ana thae
the American soldiers learned II from
the British. In some British song DOORS
the English lay claim to the air. but there
Is good evidence to show that it was
originally an Irish march to which SOL
liers in camps along the English shore
set words. Many versions of the song
bear the title brighton Camp from the
fact that 1t was sung so much by SOL
,iers quartered at Brighton, the famou
English shore resort. The Brighton en-
rampnents were maintained during lI5S,
and this date has been regarded by some
antiquaries as the date of the compost
ton of the song. An Irish manuscript
music book dated 1910 and containing
the song has been found, and Bunting
says: The air was also taken down
from A. O'Neil, harper. A. d. 1So0-au-
thor and date unknown" The music
varies little in the numerous versions
which are still sung, but the words vary
greatly. One poem which fits the music
is attributed in Brainard's "Our War
Songs" to Samuel Lover. the Irish poet,
dramatist, musician and novelist, author
of Handy Andy But Lover was not
born until 1897. consequently it is UNI
likely that he had much to do with writ
ing the original version. One version,
with an English flavor, is as follows:
The Girl I Left Behind Me.
I'm lonesome since ! crossed the hills,
And Ger the moor that's sedgy:
With heavy thoughts my mind is filled
Since L have patted Macy.
Whene'er l turn to view the place
The tears doth fall and blind me,
When l think on the charming grace
OF the girl l left behind me.
The hours I remember we'll,
When next to see doth move me,
The burning flames my heart doth feel
Since first she owned she loved me.
In search of some one fair and gay,
Several doth remind me;
l know my darling loves me we'll,
Though | left her behind me.
Each mutual promise faithfully made,
BY her whom tears doth blind me,
And bless the hours / pass away
With the girl | left behind me.
My mind her image full retains,
Whether asleep or awakened;
L nope to see my jewel again.,
For her my heart is breaking.
But if l ever chance to go that way,
mi that she has not resigned me,
III reconcile my mind and stay
With the girl l left behind me.
Another, with a distinct Irish flavor,
which was the most popular among the
songs of both northern and southern SOL
diers during the civil war. is as follows:
The Girl I Left Behind Me.
The danes of Franc are fond and free.
And Flemish lips are willing,
And soft the maids OF Italy,
And Spanish eyes are thrilling;
Still, though I bask beneath their smile.
Their charms fail to bind me,
And my heart falls back to Erin's isle.
To the girl L left behind me.
For she's as far as Shannon's side.
And purer than its water,
But she refused to be my bride
Though many a year 1 sought her:
Yet. since to France I sailed away.
Her letters oft remind me,
That 1 promised never to gainsay
The girl l left behind me.
She says: MY own dear love come home,
My friends are rich and many,
Or else abroad with you I'll roam.
A soldier stout as any:
III youIl not come, nor let me go.