I'll Return Bye-and-bye - song lyrics 
American Old-time song lyrics from www.traditionalmusic.co.uk 
I'LL RETURN BYE-AND-BYE. Copyright, 1885, by Willis Woodward & Co. 
The strife is beginning, the war drums are beating, The noise of the trumpet's alarm tills the air; Soon hearts will be broken, for armies are meeting To fight in defense of our land ever fair. A youth hears the signal, he cries, I am ready, I'll follow the standard wherever I'm led! For no other soldier can battle more steady, And these were the words that the young hero said: 
Chorus. I'll return bye-and-bye, and tell you the story Of honor and valor, with rapture I'll cry; Then do not forget me, I seek after glory, Though gone from you now, I'll return bye-and-bye. 
Then off with his fellows he marches with gladness, All ready and armed for the battles to come; His heart never burdened with trouble or sadness, But filled with a love for the dear ones at home. He follows his leader, his saber is swinging, With never a thought of a danger or pain; Where greatest the carnage his voice is heard singing. Some day I'll return to my friends once again.-Chorus. 
One day as the hero was leading in battle, A shot struck him low and he fell on the sand, He cared not for danger or loud cannons' rattle, I die, cried the boy, for my own native land! And now when years after we think how he left a¯, To go to the wars on that sad fatal day, We mourn for our loss, for the struggle bereft us, We think of his words as he then marched away.-Chorus.