The Clopton Chronicles

A Project of the Clopton Family Genealogical Society

 

 

 

WHEN PEACE RETURNS

By Olivia Tully Thomas[1]

 

 

When “war has smoothed his wrinkled front,”

                An meek-eyed peace returning,

Has brightened hearts that long were wont

                To sigh in grief and mourning –

How blissful then will be the day

                When, from the wars returning,

The weary soldier wends his way

To dear ones that are yearning.

 

To clasp in true love’s fond embrace,

                To gaze with looks so tender

Upon the war-worn form and face

                Of Liberty’s defender;

To count with pride each cruel scar,

                That mars the manly beauty,

Of him who proved so brave in war,

                So beautiful in duty.

 

When peace returns, throughout our land,

                Glad shouts of welcome render

The gallant few of Freedom’s band

                Whose cry was “no surrender”

Who battled bravely to be free

                From tyranny’s oppressions,

And won, for Southern chivalry,

                The homage of all nations!

 

And when again, in Southern bowers

                The ray of peace is shining,

Her maidens gather fairest flowers,

                And honor’s wreaths are twining,

To bind the brows victorious

                On many a field so gory,

Whose names renowned and glorious,

                Shall live in song and story.

 

Then will affection’s tear be shed,

                And pity, joy restraining,

For those, the lost, lamented dead,

                Are all beyond our plaining;

They fell in manhood’s prime and might;

                And we should not weep the story

That tells of Fame, a sacred light,

                Above each grave of glory!

 

 

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