The Unreturning

For us, the dead, though young,
For us, who fought and bled,
Let a last song be sung,
And a last word be said!

Dreams, hopes, and high desires,
That leaven and uplift,
On sacrificial fires
We offered as a gift.

We gave, and gave our all,
In gladness, though in pain;
Let not a whisper fall
That we have died in vain!