Tenting on the Old Camp Ground
# Tenting on the Old Camp Ground

Tenting on the Old Camp Ground (auch bekannt als Tenting Tonight) war ein populäres US-amerikanisches Lied zur Zeit des Sezessionskriegs, speziell bei den Nordstaatlern. Es wurde 1863 von Walter Kittredge geschrieben und im selben Jahr erstmals an der Old High Rock in Lynn, Massachusetts gespielt. In dem Lied wird die Sehnsucht der kriegsmüden Soldaten beschrieben, wieder nach Hause zurückzukehren und die Trauer um die bereits Gefallenen.

## Text

    We're tenting tonight on the old camp ground,
    Give us a song to cheer
    Our weary hearts, a song of home
    And friends we love so dear.
    Refrain:
       Many are the hearts that are weary tonight,
       Wishing for the war to cease;
       Many are the hearts looking for the right
       To see the dawn of peace.
       Tenting tonight, tenting tonight,
       Tenting on the old camp ground.
    We've been tenting tonight on the old camp-ground,
    Thinking of days gone by,
    Of the loved ones at home that gave us the hand,
    And the tear that said, "Good-bye!"
    Refrain
    The lone wife kneels and prays with a sigh
    That God his watch will keep
    O'er the dear one away and the little dears nigh,
    In the trundle bed fast asleep.
    Refrain
    We are tenting tonight on the old camp ground.
    The fires are flickering low.
    Still are the sleepers that lie around,
    As the sentinels come and go.
    Refrain
    Alas for those comrades of days gone by
    Whose forms are missed tonight.
    Alas for the young and true who lie
    Where the battle flag braved the fight.
    Refrain
    No more on march or field of strife
    Shall they lie so tired and worn,
    No rouse again to hope and life
    When the sound of drums beat at morn.
    Refrain
    We are tired of war on the old camp ground,
    Many are dead and gone,
    Of the brave and true who've left their homes,
    Others been wounded long.
    Refrain
    We've been fighting today on the old camp ground,
    Many are lying near;
    Some are dead, and some are dying,
    Many are in tears.
    Finaler Refrain:
       Many are the hearts that are weary tonight,
       Wishing for the war to cease;
       Many are the hearts looking for the right,
       To see the dawn of peace.
       Dying tonight, dying tonight,
       Dying on the old camp ground
