My Son Went Down With The Maine
Words by Daniel W. Gallagher
Music by Frederick T. Strachan
Published 1898

Within the nation's senate hall,
The statesmen of our land
Had long discussed the Maine's sad fate,
And Cuba's gallant stand.
The galleries were thronged that day,
And one was seated there,
A woman old whose pale, sad face
Betokened grief and care.
One spoke of fall in stocks and bonds,
Not of the martyred dead;
"Wall street wants peace, the strife must cease,"
The craven speaker said.
Then, ringing thro' the room was heard,
A voice that throbb'd with pain,
"A mother craves the right to speak
For her son lost with the Maine."

[chorus]
"My son went down with the Maine!" she sobb'd
"I know he was tried and true;
And here in the nation's council hall,
His life I demand of you.
Gold cannot give him back to me
I point at the coward Spain;
And bid you do what you'd long since done,
Had your sons gone down with the Maine."

"Another son, I have," said she,
"My second and my all;
Yet gladly will I yeild him up
To heed his country's call."
Just then the sunlight pierced the gloom,
And like a halo fell
Upon the mother who had loved
Her sailor boy so well.
With feeble steps the woman left
The chamber deathly hushed,
While senators of worldwide fame,
Bent low their heads and blushed.
Tho' men in pow'r betray their flag,
Its folds shall bear no stain
While Yankee mothers live like her,
Whose son was in the Maine.

[repeat chorus]