The Hood River Glacier

PLAY SOFTLY, BOYS.

I'm thinkin' of the golden head
I nestled to my breast;
They're tellin' me, "He's better off."
And sayin', "God knows best."
But, oh, my heart is breakin'
And the wild, wild waves at play
Where the golden head is buried low,
Close to Manila Bay.

I'm thinkin' of the roguish eyes
Of tender Irish gray;
They're tellin' me, "He's better off."
And, "I'll thank God some day."
But, oh, my heart is breakin'
And the wild, wild waves at play
And my baby's eyes all closed in death
Close to Manila Bay.

I'm thinkin' of the little hands
That's fastened 'round my heart:
They're tellin' me, "Have courage,
Sure life's to meet and part."
But, oh, my heart is breakin'
And the wild, wild waves at play
And my baby's hands so stiff and cold
Close to Manila Bay.

I'm thinkin' of the noble boy
That kissed my tears away:
They're telling me "How brave he was,
And foremost in the fray!"
But, oh, my heart is breakin'
And the wild, wild waves at play
And my baby and my soldier dead-
Close to Manila Bay.

Play softly, boys. I know you will
Remembering he's away-
My boy, who proudly marched with ye
On last St. Patrick's day.
Play softly, boys. I know ye will,
And the wild, wild waves at play
And your comrade lying lonely,
Close to Manila Bay.

Play softly, boys, I know ye will,
And hush this pain to rest—
And soothe the bitter agony
That's tearin' at my breast.
How can ye march at all, at all,
And the wild, wild waves at play.
And the boy who loved ye lyin' cold
Close to Manila Bay.

-Utica Globe.