In Requiem Medley

(Taps and Amazing Grace)
American Traditional Hymn
MIDI Sequence and arrangement by: J. James
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A Common Man, a Soldier

Shed not your tears for me
here at this earthen grave,
for it is not here that I lived.
Seek instead my memory in your deepest heart
and know ye well that I still reside there.

My face shines back there in the depths of
shared times of love and remembered joys.
Listen for my voice with the beating of your heart
and hear the song I sing there to you.
Share my heart-song for you with me once more
And know that I am and will always be.

I loved and it was good.
I lived, and that too was good.
Cry not that I am no more;
rather smile for I was
and keep my memory dear.

I am not there beneath the medals
given by men for valor or the flag
that marks the man I was.
I am there among our treasured
memories of gentle touches,
hearty laughter and quiet tears
that were a part of you and me -
a soldier now gone to rest.

The years ahead may stretch forever
in your mind on this parting day,
but time is but a twinkle in the eye
of an angel's healing smile.

I am not now here, but yet I am,
for I'll live forever in your memory.
No man passes here without a touch
upon the souls of others he may know.

I stay to lend a gentle wish for you
that you may know that I was, but
still I am forever and will always be
a warrior who lived and died that others
might live proud and free.

Still now my battles on this earth
and put away the toil I knew.
Pack away my medals and my gun.
My time here with you now is done,
but I am no farther gone than a baby's smile
or the sound of a mother's sigh.

Shed not your tears for me
at this earthen grave.
I march away now proudly clad
in uniform of perfect light,
never more to know pain's darkest night.

I march away in cadence of perfect time
in step with other men who also served,
who paid the price required with patriots' blood.

Stand here now and gaze down to where I'm not
and let your your heart swell with pride
that I lived and loved and served.
Embrace the flag in trifold grace
and keep it there to mark my place.

I was but a common man, a soldier.

What greater thing can be said of me?

 

 

---

 

© 2002 J. James, all rights reserved

 

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