CHRISTIE-ALLEN-CONTE-BETANCOURT HOMEPAGE

COLONEL CHRISTIE The Dying Soldier was written on the death of Colonel Christie, who fell mortally wounded at the battle of Gettysburg, Pennsylvania, and died at Winchester, Virginia. He longed to see his young wife, his darling Lizzie, but before she reached Winchester, he was dead.

I am dying. Is she coming? Throw the window open wide. Is she coming? Oh! I love her more than all the world besides.
In her young and tender beauty, must, oh! must she feel this loss? Savior, hear my poor petition; teach her how to bear this cross.
Help her to be calm and patient, when I moulder in the dust; Let her say and tell, my Father, that thy ways are true and just.
Is she coming? Go and listen; I would see her face once more, I would hear her speaking to me, ere life's fevered dream is o'er.
I would hold her to my bosom, look into her soft, bright eyes; I would tell her how I love her, kiss her once before I die.
Is she coming? Oh! 'tis evening, and my darling comes not still; Lift the curtain-it grows darker; it is sunset on the hill.
The evening dews are falling; I am cold-the light is gone. Is she coming? Softly, softly come the silent footsteps on.
I am going. Come and kiss me. Kiss me my darling wife. Take for her my parting blessing-take the last warm kiss of life.
Tell her I will wait to greet her where the good and lovely are; In that home untouched by sorrow, tell her she must meet me there.
Is she coming? Lift the curtain-let me see the failing light; Oh! I want to live to see her-surely she will come tonight.
Surely ere the daylight dieth, I will fold her to my breast: With her head upon my bosom, calmly I could sink to rest.
It is hard to die without her. Look! I think she's coming now; I can almost feel her kisses on my faded cheek and brow.
I can almost hear her whisper, feel her breath upon my cheek. Hark! I hear the front door open-is she coming? Did she speak?
No! Well, drop the curtain softly, I will see her face no more, Till I see it smiling on me, on the bright and better shore. Tell her she must come and meet me in the Eden-land of light,
Tell her I'll be waiting for her where there is no death, no night; Tell her that I called her darling, blessed her with my dying breath. Come and kiss me for my Lizzie-tell her love outlived my death.
1867. The dying soldier, pp. 475-476. IN Hoge, A.H. The Boys in Blue or Heroes of the Rank and File. North-western Branch, Printed by E.B. Treat and Co., New York, New York.

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