My brave lad sleeps in his faded coat of blue
In a lone and silent grave lies a heart that beats so true
He fell faint and hungry among the famished brave
And they laid him sad and lonely within his nameless grave

He cried, "Give me water and just one little crumb
And my mother will bless you in the many years to come"
Oh, tell my sweet sister, so gentle and so true
That I'll meet her up in Heaven in my faded coat of blue

No more the bugle calls the weary one
Rest, lonely spirit, in thy grave unknown
I'll know you and find you among the good and true
When a robe of white is given for the faded coat of blue

Long, long years have vanished, and though he comes no more
Yet my anxious heart will start with each footfall at my door
I gaze o'er the hilltop where he waved a last adieu
But no gallant lad I see in his faded coat of blue

No more the bugle calls the weary one
Rest, lonely spirit, in thy grave unknown
I'll know you and find you among the good and true
When the robe of white is given for the faded coat of blue