The Girl Left Behind Lyrics - Dirt Farmer - Levon Helm

The hours sad I left a maid 

A lingering farewell taking 

Whose sighs and tears my steps delayed 

I thought her heart was breaking 

In hurried words her name I blest 

I breathed the vows that bind me 

And to my heart in anguish pressed 

The girl I left behind me 

Then to the east we bore away 

To win a name in story 

And there where dawns the sun of day 

There dawned our sun of glory 

The place in my sight 

When in the host assigned me 

I shared the glory of that fight 

Sweet girl I left behind me 

Though many a name our banner bore 

Of former deeds of daring 

But they were of the day of yore 

In which we had no sharing 

But now our laurels freshly won 

With the old one shall entwine me 

Singing worthy of our size each son 

Sweet girl I left behind me 

The hope of final victory 

Within my bosom burning 

Is mingling with sweet thoughts of thee 

And of my fond returning 

But should I n'eer return again 

Still with thy love i'll bind me 

Dishonors breath shall never stain 

The name I leave behind me