Copied below is something I found in my Orrin Cook research. Tucked away in the Connecticut River Historical Society archives, in the Cook collection, are a handful of books from the reunions of the original 22nd MVI veterans. In them, is a song that was sung every October 8 from 1912-1915 when they gathered, sung to the tune of "Tenting on the Old Campground."
Jen is attempting to learn this for the Cambridge living history.
“An Original Song” Written for the Occasion by Historian John L. Parker and sung to the music of “Tenting on the Old Campground”
Found in the Rosters of the Annual Meetings of 22nd Massachusetts Veterans on October 8 of 1912-15.
We’re meeting today on the old campground Gathered with song and cheer Our merry hearts rejoice to greet So many comrades dear
--chorus-- Many were the days that together we fought Battling to defend the right Many were the years sweet peace we sought Longing for the light Gathered today, joyous and gay Happy on the old campground ---
Reunited here on the old campground Thinking of days gone by And the brave ones who fell in the battles’ front In unknown graves to lie
(chorus)
We remember today on the old campground The parts we bore in the strife To the land we loved we pledged our faith Even though it called for life
(chorus)
Then a song and a cheer on the old campground All shout the loud refrain! A tear for the comrades who never returned And love for those who remain
(Note: October 8 1861 was the date the original 22nd MVI decamped from training at Camp Schouler and departed for the seat of war.)
In the 1913 Reunion booklet, they also had an extra verse and modified chorus to "Marching Through Georgia" that they also sang.
"But now the war is over And peace regins throughout the land We yearly come together This gallant little band We've settled down to civilian life We've laid aside our arms That helped us march right into Richmond!
----(Chorus)---- Hurrah! Hurrah! It was a gallant band! Hurrah! Hurrah! The best men in our land! Of men who never faultered, of men who ne'er fell back While we were marching in to Richmond!
