Historic Sheet Music Collection
Document Type
Score
Publication Date
1895
Lyrics
[Verse 1]
The years have come, the years have gone,
And in the track of ruthless Time
Are strewn the graves of heroes brave,
Who fell ere life had reached its prime,
The lapse of years has hushed the din
Of cannon’s roar and trumpet’s blast;
The armied hosts of boys in blue
Are but a spectre of the past.
[Chorus]
Peace to the fearless boys in blue,
Who saved their country’s sacred name, whose dauntless deeds are graven deep
On Honor’s monuments of fame!
Their ranks are daily growing less;
The battle’s din has died away;
Their foes have vanished with the years;
The boys in blue are turning gray!
[Verse 2]
No more the tread of marching feet
Keep step to stirring martial strains,
And but the memory of war
Among the boys in blue remains
The brawny forms of those brave lads
Are bowed and bent with years today;
Their once bright eyes are growing dim;
The boys in blue are turning gray!
[Chorus]
[Verse 3]
The foes of yore are foes no more;
The “gray coats” mingle with the blue;
One flag floats proudly over all;
The emblem of a nation true!
The dove of Peace spreads out her wings
And war and carnage steal away;
The “men of gray” are now true blue,
And “Boys in Blue” are turning gray!
[Chorus]
Recommended Citation
Parker, W. C., "Boys in Blue are Turning Gray" (1895). Historic Sheet Music Collection. 1339.
https://digitalcommons.conncoll.edu/sheetmusic/1339
The views expressed in this paper are solely those of the author.
Comments
MacIntosh Collection
New York (110 W. 40th St., New York) : Parker Music Company, c1895.
Some of these resources may contain offensive language or negative stereotypes. Such materials should be seen in the context of the time period and as a reflection of attitudes of the time. The items are part of the historical record, and do not represent the views of the library or the institution.