Beneath the leafy bough,
Leaves now turn an autumn hue.
Dawn chorus of happy birds fail to wake me,
Resting, Peace at last now.
No-one, not even my country can forsake me,
Many times the day has newly dawned,
And the faithful sun has rosily set.
A noisy bugle may call, “To arms!”
But no longer can make me,
Oh! How we did tarry,
In days when we were young,
Shiny black, jewel like berries,
Stained our eager fingers.
We made plans, plans of the young,
One plan was to marry,
Oh! the songs we sung.
How each sweet melody lingers,
Some other unknown plan foiled ours.
Oh! “The best laid plans of mice and men!”
Promises made, the vows must wait,
Beneath a leafy tree, we stole one last moment.
Amid the flowers, each pondering,
But not knowing the others fate.
Weep not for me, I will not grow old my love,
Cold maybe, but a cold unfelt by me,
Beneath a leafy blanket,
Resting, Peace at last now!