Where is Fredericksburg?
The bloody wound of New York's Irish
Men
writing their names on pieces of paper
pinning the papers to their uniforms
with the simple hope
of escaping an unmarked grave
Boys
sleepless in the darkness
each wondering if the dawn will bring
the worst day in his poor mother's life
The six desperate charges
the bodies which lie in dense masses...
"Never at Fontenoy, Albuera or Waterloo
was more undaunted courage displayed"
than at Fredericksburg
the cruel stone wall where New York's Irish Brigade died.
The requiem at St. Patrick's
the call for the widows to come forward
and be cared for...
Fredericksburg!
Fredericksburg!
Fredericksburg!
The Pennsylvanian's chanting
and waving their green banner
the Harp and the Sunburst
over Pickett's troops
who have fallen before them
at yet another cruel stonewall
Gettysburg.
