Memorial Day

Memorial Day finds its birthplace in a number of small towns across the United States and became an official holiday in 1868 designated by General John Logan. Although Memorial Day began with mourning for the Civil War soldiers, it later expanded to include all soldiers from all wars. Below you will find the words to a song written in 1867. It is just as relevant today as ever. As we reminisce about “Our noble dead,” we are reminded that today’s soldiers are not exclusively fathers and brothers; they include our mothers, sisters, and friends.  

Kneel where our loves are sleeping

By Mrs. L. Nella Sweet (1867)

Kneel where our loves are sleeping.

Dear ones loved in days gone by

Here we bow in holy reverence

Our bosoms heave their heartfelt sigh

They fell like brave men, true as steel, and pour’d their blood like rain

We feel we owe them all we have, and can but kneel and weep again

Kneel where our loves are sleeping,

They lost but still were good and true,

Our fathers, brothers fell still fighting

We weep, ‘tis all that we can do

Here we find our noble dead

Their spirits soar’d to him above

Rest they now about his throne,

For God is mercy, God is love.

Then let us pray that we may live,

As pure and good as they have been,

That dying we may ask of Him, To ope’ the gate and let us in

Kneel where our loves are sleeping,

They lost, but still were good and true,

Our fathers, brothers fell still fighting

We weep, ‘tis all that we can do

http://library.duke.edu/rubenstein/scriptorium/sheetmusic/b/b08/b0802/b0802-1-72dpi.html