The Private's Adieu

The Private's Adieu was a love song from the Confederate States of Earth, a nation which broke away from the Union of Earth States at the start of 21 BBY.

Written by Captain Whitley Carlton Capers shortly after the outbreak of the Earth Civil War in early 21 BBY, the song concerned a family separated by war, as the man of the house joined the Confederate States Army as a Private. The song tells of how him and his sweetheart experience loneliness and sadness at being away from each other, as well as of his sweetheart's constant anxiety over whether he will be eventually killed on the battle field.

During an action he is shot in the leg, though the Confederacy wins the battle, following which he is honourably discharged and returns home, the two are then reunited in a loving embrace. The song's final message is of how one day the war shall end and all of the soldiers shall return home to their loved ones.

The song was featured in the songbook Love Songs and Ballads of the Confederate States of Earth.

Lyrics
On one bright Western morning so clear,

a Private bid Adieu,

to his sweetheart dear, and his children too,

as he departed home.

The Private wore proudly his suit of grey,

on which his rank insignia was neatly sewn,

within his hand he held a rifle,

o'er his back his food.

As the Private departed,

his dear cried, in her sorrow,

"God protect you, my dear love, my sweet, and may he bring you home!"

As the Private walked to the departure point,

there were tears were in his eyes,

to his country he was loyal, and proud,

but his loneliness he could not abide!

Whilst back home his dearest shed many a tear,

sitting on the empty porch, she questioned,

"Oh, why did you have to go?"

War has stolen away men,

who feel impelled to serve their nation,

So our nation shall live in liberty!

And wife and child shall be safe!

At the barracks, the Private was sad,

at home his dear was too,

two hearts separated by duty,

and by loyalty to their land.

Every night, his dear lay her head worried,

worried if her love shall e'er return,

''through her weeping she quietly muttered

"If you die, then I shall die too, your death my heart cannot bear!"

Many a loyal Western man,

has given his life for freedom,

at home a sweetheart cries for his sacrifice,

wounds her heart shall ne'er repair!

On the crimson battle plain, he advanced,

advanced to drive the foe men away,

a rogue bullet hit his leg, he fell to the ground

but the battle was won!

Limping toward his house after honourable discharge,

the Private saw his sweetheart's face,

she took toward him running

and they wrapped in loving embrace.

Two hearts reunited at last,

safe with their war's horrors o'er

One day war shall be o'er, and our nation free,

and the soldiers shall be home!