Cordially Dedicated 
to the Tremaine Family
"Let Me Die With My Face to the Foe" ([>30 May] 1864)
The Last Words of 
Gen. James C. Rice.

NOTE: Brigadier Gen. James C. Rice, was Commander of the
Second Brigade, Fouth division of the Fifth corps, Army of
the Potomac.  After participating in nearly all the battles of
the army, he was mortally wounded at the head of his command
in one ofthe terrible battles near Spottsylvania Court House,
Va., on the 30 of May, 1864.  His dying words were,
"Turn me over and let me die with my face to the foe."

Poetry and Music by James Gowdy Clark, 1830-1897
Author of "Moonlight and Starlight," 
"Children of the Battle Field,"
The Sword That My House Boy Won [?]" &c.

New York: Horace Waters, 481 Broadway
Boston: Oliver Ditson & Co.
Toledo, OH: W. W. Whitney
Warren, Music Stereotyper 43 Centre St.
Plate Number: 1035
[Source: 088/134@Levy]

1. Let me die with my face to the foe, boys, 
On the field by the brave made gory, 
’Tis sweet thus to die and to know, boys, 
That the Old Flag waves in glory, 
To hear the bugles pealing, 
Where a fearful wrong is reeling, 
While slavery’s might, and slavery’s night, 
Sink down in the battle’s glow.

CHORUS [sung after each verse]
I hear the shout of the brave ring out, 
Where the land’s hight hearts lie low; 
Then let me gaze thro’ the cannon’s blaze, 
And die with my face to the foe.

2. Let me turn my face to the foe, boys, 
Ere the dark tide of death rolls o’er me; 
Let the flames of the combat glow, boys, 
And the Old Flag stream before me, 
I know the glorious morning, 
The gloom of war adorning, 
Will driveaway with deathless ray, 
The night of our nation’s woe.

3. Let me die with my face to the field, boys, 
As the shot of the foeman found me; 
I crave no shroud or shield, boys, 
Save the Old Flag wrap’d around me; 
Those stars shall gleam forever. 
O’er land and sea and river, 
In Freedom’s right, and Freedom’s light 
O’er hearts that will never yield.