The Meaning of Memorial Day

The Bivouac of the Dead

The muffled drums sad roll shall beat

The soldier's last tatoo,

No more on life' parade shall meet

the brave and fallen few.

The neighboring troop, the flashing blade,

The bugles stirring blast,

The charge, the dreadful cannonade,

The din and shout are past.

Rest on, embalmed and sainted dead,

Dear as the blood ye gave.

No impious footstep here shall tread

The herbage of your grave.

On fame's eternal camping ground.

Their silent tents are spread.

And glory guards with solemn round

The bivouac of the dead.

No visions of the morrow's strife

The warrior's dream alarms.

No braying horn nor screaming fife

At dawn shall call to arms.

No rumor of the foes advance

Now sweeps upon the wind,

No troubled thought at midnight haunts

Of loved ones left behind.

Your own proud land's heroic soil

Must be your fitter grave;

She claims from war his richest spoil,

The ashes of the brave.

~ Theodore O'Hara