Historic Americana
First World War Textile “THE FAREWELL” Silk Bandanna
c. 1916, First World War “THE FAREWELL” Silk Bandanna, Extremely Fine.
Variant of No. 794 in “Threads of History" (see page 322), this one with a different border and lacking the “Greetings Camp McClellan, Ala." imprint. 14.75” x 15.25,” printed in blue ink on white silk, with a patriotic red, white and blue border featuring flag motifs. At center a young couple smooches in front of an American 48-Star flag (Incorporated to 48 Stars in 1912 with the addition of New Mexico) and two battle scenes; an Eagle hovers above with a banner in its beak: “THE FAREWELL.” Beneath is a short poem of fond remembrance in full:

“When war clouds hover o’er the land we read of heroes brave,

Our officers on land and sea, o’er them we fiarly rave’

The real defenders are forgot, the men who fire the gun.

‘Tis they who’ll shield the Stars and Stripes, God bless them ev’ry mother’s son!

He may be wealthy, college bred, perhaps a son of toil,

He volunteers to fight or die, he loves his native soil;

No fame or glory be his, though through him battles are won,

Old glory will never cease to wave while we have men to fire the gun!”

Ex-Mastai Collection, with red-lettered stamp impression in lower right-hand corner. Very light toning and occasional staining. Some slight pulls and tears, with holes in the lower right corner and at center, affecting one word in the last line of the poem.
(in full):

“When war clouds hover o’er the land we read of heroes brave,

Our officers on land and sea, o’er them we fiarly rave’

The real defenders are forgot, the men who fire the gun.

‘Tis they who’ll shield the Stars and Stripes, God bless them ev’ry mother’s son!

He may be wealthy, college bred, perhaps a son of toil,

He volunteers to fight or die, he loves his native soil;

No fame or glory be his, though through him battles are won,

Old glory will never cease to wave while we have men to fire the gun!”