Once I had a sweetheart, noble brave and true,
Fearless as the sunrise, gentle as the dew.
We had loved and waited, we had named the day,
And we had pledged to wed each other in the month of May.
Out on the high seas he sailed, under the red, white and blue.
Faithful to country and home, faithful to captain and crew.
Chorus:
Once I had a sweetheart, noble brave and true,
Fearless as the sunrise. gentle as the dew.
We had loved and waited, we had named the day,
And we had pledged to wed each other in the month of May.
2. Anchored at Havana, on the Cuban shore,
Conscious of no danger, dreaming love days o'er,
Peacefully he slumbered in his hammock bed,
While the stars, with glowing beauty, benedictions said.
Then came a death-dealing crash, wrecking the vessel in twain!
Down went my sweetheart to death! Down went our gallant ship Maine!
Chorus:
Once I had a sweetheart, noble brave and true,
Fearless as the sunrise, gentle as the dew.
We had loved and waited, we had named the day,
And we had pledged to wed each other in the month of May.
3. Buried in a foreign land, in an unknown grave,
Where the bells of liberty soon must ring to save,
Peacefully, he slumbers still, 'neath a torrid sun.
And through all time, 'twi'l bleed for him, this heart, this heart he won.
Rouse ye, my countrymen, rouse! Let not his death be in vain!
Strike down the cowardly fiends, who slaughtered the crew of the Maine!
Chorus:
Once I had a sweetheart, noble, brave and true,
Fearless as the sunrise, gentle as the dew.
Now he fills an unknown grave, 'neath a torrid sun.
And through all time, 'twi'l bleed for him, this heart, this heart he won.
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