On The Shores Of Tennessee

On the Shores of Tennessee
961

“Move my arm chair, faithful Pompey,
In the sunshine bright and strong
For this this world world is failing, Pompey- For
Massa won’t be with you lonx:
And I fain would hear the south wind
Bring once more the sound to me
Of the wavelets softly breaking
On the shores of Tennessee,

“Mournful though the ripples murmur
As they still the story tell
How no vessel floats the banner
That I’ve loved so long and well
I shall listen to their music,
Dreaming that again I see
Stars and Stripes on sloop and shallop
Balling up the Tennessee

“And, Pompey, while old massa’s waiting
For death’s last dispatch to come,
If that exiled starry baimer
Should come proudly salihig home,
You shall greet it, slave no longer
Voice and hand whall both he free
That shout and point to Union colors
On the waves of Tennesave,

“Massa’s berry kind to Pompey,
But ole darky’s happy here,
Where he’s tended corn and cotton
For dere many a long gone year
Over yonder missis alreping
No one tenda her grave like me:
Mebby she would miss the flowers
She used to love in Tennessee

“Pears like she was watching mаssа,
It Pompey should beside him stay,
Mebhy she’d remember better
How for him she used to pray
Telling hint that way up yonder
White as snow his soul would be
If he served the Lord of Heaven
While he lived in Tennessee”

Silently the tears were rolling
Down the poor old dusky face,
As he stepped behind his master
In his long accustomed place
Then a silence fell around then
As they gazed on rock and tree,
Pictured in the placid waters
of the rolling Tennessre,

Master, dreaming of the battle
Where he fought by Marion’s side,
When he bid the haughty Tacleton
Stoop his Iordly crest of pride
Man, remembering how yoti scoper
Once he held upon his kuce
Ere she loved the gallant soldier,
Ralph Vervair of Tennesseei

Still the south wind fondly
Mid the veteran’s silver lutty s
Still the bondman, close bestde ho
Stands behind the old arm chair
With his dark hued hand uplifted
Shading eyes, he tends to see
Where the woodland, boldly Jetting,
Turns aside the Teunessee

Thus he watches cloud born shadows
Guide from tree to mountain crest,
Softly creeping aye and penrer
To the river’s yielding breast
Ha! above the folinge yonder
Something flutters wild and free!
“Massa! Massa! Hallelujah!
The flag’s come back to Tennessee!”

“Pompey, hold me on your shoulder
Help me stand on foot once more
That I may salute the colors
As they puas my cabin door
Here’s the paper signed that frees you,
Give a freeman’s shout with the
‘God and Union’ be our watchword
Evermore in Tennessee!”

Then the trembling volce grew fainter,
And the limbs refused to stand
One prayer to Jesus-and the soldier
Glided to the better land
When the flag went up the river
Man and master both were free,
While the ring dove’s note was mingled
With the rippling Tennessee,