The Vacant Chair

A E A A D A A A We shall meet but we shall miss him, there will be one vacant chair; we shall linger to caress him, A B E A D A While we breathe our ev'ning pray'r when a year ago we gathered, joy was in his mild blue eyes, A A E A But a golden chord is severed, And our hopes in ruin lie. A D A A E We shall meet but we shall miss him, there will be one vacant chair, E A D A E A We shall linger to caress him, while we breathe our ev'ning pray'r. A D E A A D A A A At our fireside, sad and lonely,often will the bosom swell at remembrance of the story, B E E A D A How our noble Willie fell; how he strove to bear our banner through the thickest of the fight, A E A And uphold our country's honor, in the strength of manhood's night. A D A A E We shall meet but we shall miss him, there will be one vacant chair, E A D A E A We shall linger to caress him, while we breathe our ev'ning pray'r. A D A A True, they tell us wreaths of glory ever more will deck his brow, but this soothes the anguish only, B E A D A Sweeping o'er our heartstrings now. sleep today, oh early fallen, in thy green and narrow bed, A E A Dirges from the pine and cypress mingle with the tears we shed. A D A A E We shall meet but we shall miss him, there will be one vacant chair, E A D A E A We shall linger to caress him, while we breathe our ev'ning pray'r.