Page:Claude McKay Constab Ballads.djvu/78



comrades, my comrades,

My heart is always true;

An’ ever an’ ever

I shall remember you.

We all joined together,

Together joined we four;

An’ I have been first to

Pass t’rough the open door.

We four drilled together,

Together drilled we all;

An’ I’ve been the first to

Flee from the life o’ gall.

We parted, dear comrades,

We parted all in tears,

An’ each went his own way

To shoulder life’s sad cares.

O comrades, my comrades,

What is de lasting gain,

But all t’rough de tempest

A heart of unmixed pain?