THE MOTHERS
Reading edition
I We knew them in their infancy, We knew them as our sons; We loved them for their own dear sakes, We bade them man the guns. We knew they’d do their honest best, We prayed that they might live; And proud were we the day we gave The utmost we could give. II We saw them go, our cherished ones, We bade them fond farewell; And we, the mothers of our sons, Were left alone ... in hell. O Lord, we humbly pray Thee, Have mercy on the slain; But most of all, have mercy on, The women who remain!