Person:Alfred Joy (1)

Break the News to Mother By--Rock Joy

Mid the shot and shells were streaming

Upon the battle field

The boys in blue were fighting

Their noble flag to shield.

Then came a cry from their brave captain

"Look boys, our flag is down

Who will volunteer to save it from disgrace?"

"I will" a young boy shouted

"I'll bring it back or die".

Then sprang into the thickest of the foe

Saved the flag but gave his young life

All for his countries sake.

They brought him back and softly heard him say

Just break the news to mother

She knows how dear I love her,

And tell her not to wait for me

For I'm not coming home.

Just say there is no other

Can take the place of mother

And kiss her dear sweet lips for me

And break the news to her.

T'was a far and noted general

Who had witnessed this great deed.

"Who saved the flag? Speak up boys

T'was noble, brave indeed"

"Here he lies," says the captain

He's sinking very fast

And slowly turned away to hide a tear.

The General in a moment

Knelt down beside the boy

And gave a cry that touched all hearts that day.

Tis my son, my brave young hero

I thought you safe at home.

Forgive me father for I ran away.

Alfred Roscoe Joy aka "Rock"

retyped on 12/13/1999 from the original typed page sent to me by Lorene

Nixon, some obvious spelling and punctuation errors were corrected by me:

Valerie Karinen

scylla@jps.net