On the raging field of battle in a dugout dark and cold Lies a soldier in tears and wracked with pain We gathered close beside him as our Captain said a prayer We knew his chance to live was all in vain
He opened up his big blue eyes ans smiled through flowing tears These last few words then to our Captain told In this pocket by my heart sir is a message send it please And with it send this little band of gold
I promised you sweetheart someday I'd meet you Your tender form close to my heart I'd fold But I'll never keep that promise I have trod the last long mile But I'm sending you your little band of gold
We laid him down in silence twas so hard to leave him there Our hearts were heavy as we walked away But we know tonight in heaven there's another soldier boy Who'll be marked a hero on that Judgement Day
We wrote his dear old mother sent his love to folks back home And told her God had called him to the fold And the message to his darling we so carefully mailed away With his picture and her little band of gold
(I promised you sweetheart someday I'd meet you Your tender form close to my heart I'd fold) But I'll never keep that promise I have trod the last long mile But I'm sending you your little band of gold