Tread Softly

G D A A Tread softly, for she is near under the snow G D A A Speak gently, for she can hear your daisies grow G D A A All of her bright and golden hair was tarnished with rust G D A She that was young and fair has fallen to dust A Has fallen to dust G D She was lily-like and white as snow A A Never knew she was a woman so sweetly she grew G D A A Yet a coffin board and a heavy stone lie upon her breast G D A A And I vex my heart alone that she is at rest G D A A Tread softly, for she is near under the snow G D A A Speak gently, for she can hear your daisies grow G D Not the tribune's voice nor the poet's pen A A May sow such seeds in slaverous men G D A 'Tis the soldier's sword alone that may reap such harvest A When they have grown, when they have grown G D A A Tread softly, for she is near under the snow G D A A Speak gently, for she can hear your daisies grow G D A A Peace, she cannot hear a line, nor a tune, nor a song, nor a sonnet G D A A My life is buried here, heap of earth upon it G D A A Tread softly, for she is near under the snow G D A A Speak gently, for she can hear your daisies grow G D A A Tread softly, for she is near under the snow G D A A Speak gently, for she can hear your daisies grow G D Tread softly, for she is near