Julius C. Wright, "The Colored Heroes in Blue" (1906)
1
Uncle Sam says they are useful.
That's why he holds them fast.
In the hottest of the battles
They stood until the last.
They fought; they charged to the front;
Their excelsiors were of few.
Uncle Sam gave honor
To the colored heroes in blue.
2
From the Revolution to date
The colored heroes stood stout.
No advancing foe
Has ever turned them out.
Ever since when war broke out
Uncle Sam said they would do.
Honor to the noble sons —
The colored heroes in blue.
3
In Uncle Sam's uniform,
To aid him in his fate,
Marching bravely to the front,
And braver still of late.
Dying and trying, killing and spilling,
Ever brave and true;
Honor to the undefeated
Colored heroes in blue.
Every body speaks high of them.
How they mingled with the band
When they sheared the Spanish-American
And charged at San Juan;
How they saved the Rough Riders.
The Spaniards they withdrew
When they saw the angry faces
Of the colored heroes in blue.
From Poetic Diamonds