Tenting On The Old Camp Ground - Lyrics

Lyrics

Lyrics from the original sheet music:

We're tenting tonight on the old camp ground,

Give us a song to cheer

Our weary hearts, a song of home

And friends we love so dear.

Chorus:

Many are the hearts that are weary tonight,

Wishing for the war to cease;

Many are the hearts looking for the right

To see the dawn of peace.

Tenting tonight, tenting tonight,

Tenting on the old camp ground.

We've been tenting tonight on the old camp-ground,

Thinking of days gone by,

Of the loved ones at home that gave us the hand,

And the tear that said, "Good-bye!"

Chorus

The lone wife kneels and prays with a sigh

That God his watch will keep

O'er the dear one away and the little dears nigh,

In the trundle bed fast asleep.

Chorus

We are tenting tonight on the old camp ground.

The fires are flickering low.

Still are the sleepers that lie around,

As the sentinels come and go.

Chorus

Alas for those comrades of days gone by

Whose forms are missed tonight.

Alas for the young and true who lie

Where the battle flag braved the fight.

Chorus

No more on march or field of strife

Shall they lie so tired and worn,

No rouse again to hope and life

When the sound of drums beat at morn.

Chorus

We are tired of war on the old camp ground,

Many are dead and gone,

Of the brave and true who've left their homes,

Others been wounded long.

Chorus

We've been fighting today on the old camp ground,

Many are lying near;

Some are dead, and some are dying,

Many are in tears.

Final Chorus:

Many are the hearts that are weary tonight,

Wishing for the war to cease;

Many are the hearts looking for the right,

To see the dawn of peace.

Dying tonight, dying tonight,

Dying on the old camp ground