Of the great armies of the Past go by ;
I hear,

Across the wide sea wash of years between,
Concord and Valley Forge shout back from
the unseen,
And Vicksburg give a cheer.

Our cheer goes back to them, the valiant dead!

Laurels and roses on their graves to-day,
Lilies and laurels over them we lay,
And violets o'er each unforgotten head.
Their honor still with the returning May
Puts on its springtime in our memories,
Nor till the last American with them lies
Shall the young year forget to strew their
bed.