On the raging field of battle in a dugout dark and cold
Lies a soldier in tears and wracked with pain
We gathered close beside him as our Captain said a prayer
We knew his chance to live was all in vain

He opened up his big blue eyes ans smiled thro' flowing tears
These last few words then to our Captain told
"In this pocket by my heart, sir, is a message, send it please
And with it send this little band of gold"

Chorus
I promised you sweetheart someday I'd meet you
Your tender form close to my heart I'd fold
But I'll never keep that promise, I have trod the last long mile
But I'm sending you your little band of gold

We laid him down in silence, t'was so hard to leave him there
Our hearts were heavy as we walked away
But we know tonight in Heaven there's another soldier boy
Who'll be marked a hero on that Judgement Day

We wrote his dear old mother, sent his love to folks back home
And told her God had called him to the Fold
And the message to his darling we so carefully mailed away
With his picture and her little band of gold
Chorus