My Buddy Over There

I often think of Army days
Before the war was through,
I had a Buddy over there
I wonder now, did you?

He laughed the same as you or I,
He had his troubles too –
But he went in with all the rest,
I’ve thought of that, have you?

He had his life ahead of him
With many things to do,
He didn’t want to end it all –
I’ve thought of that, have you?

He tried to do his little bit
And thought when it was through,
Just how he’d feel when he got home
I’ve thought of that, have you?

I slept beside him many nights
And wondered some, that’s true –
Just what the next day held for us
I’ve thought of that, have you?

At times I’ve tried to make him smile
When he was feeling blue,
At times he’s done the same for me,
I’ve thought of that, have you?

We camped and lived for many days
When meals were mighty few –
We lived and laughed in rain and mud
I’ve thought of that, have you?

I’ve talked to him so many times
His every plan I knew –
And yet he’s lying over there
I’ve thought of that, have you?

One day he waved his hand at me
I guess I waved mine too –
And then he crossed the great Divide
I’ve thought of that, have you?

That’s why I think of Army days
And times that we went through,
And how I left him over there –
I won’t forget, will you?

(Written in memory of my buddy, Sgt. Versich of the 49 U.S. Infantry – 1917-19-)