Hey everyone, I am looking to find out who wrote a poem called "Should You Go First". I have an old postcard from some years back, maybe the 50s or maybe even the 40s., and it has a very beautiful poem on the back that says is written by a man named Albert Roswell. Either this man never became famous for it or he didn't exsist. If he did, he is porbably no longer alive, and if he isn't Somehow I would like to let people know about this poem. Send any feedback on this subject. Anything would be appreciated..

You can find words to this poem on the internet, generally credited to Albert Kennedy "Rosey" Roswell. Do the wods on your card agree with these?

Should you go first and I remain To walk the road alone,
I’ll live in memory’s garden, dear, With happy days we’ve known.
In Spring I’ll wait for roses red When fades the lilac blue,
In early Fall, when brown leaves call I’ll catch a glimpse of you.

Should you go first and I remain For battles to be fought,
Each thing you’ve touched along the way Will be a hallowed spot.
I’ll hear your voice, I’ll see your smile, Though blindly I may grope,
The memory of your helping hand Will buoy me on with hope.

Should you go first and I remain To finish with the scroll,
No length’ning shadows shall creep in To make this life seem droll.
We’ve known so much happiness, We’ve had our cup of joy,
And memory is one gift of God That death cannot destroy.

Should you go first and I remain, One thing I’d have to do:
Walk slowly down that long, lone path, For soon I’ll follow you.
I”ll want to know each step you take That I may walk the same,
For some day down that lonely road You’ll hear me call your name.

Here's a discussion of the poem:

[www.k12.hi.us] />

Les

See also the Hank Williams song at the bottom of these links:

[tinyurl.com]

"Should You Go First" always brings to my mind this poem (which was featured in the movie TRULY MADLY DEEPLY):


The Dead Woman
by Pablo Neruda

If suddenly you do not exist,
if suddenly you are not living,
I shall go on living.

I do not dare,
I do not dare to write it,
if you die.

I shall go on living.

Because where a man has no voice,
there, my voice.

Where blacks are beaten,
I can not be dead.
When my brothers go to jail
I shall go with them.

When victory,
not my victory
but the great victory
arrives,
even though I am mute I must speak:
I shall see it come even though I am blind.

No, forgive me.
If you are not living,
if you, beloved, my love,
if you
have died,
all the leaves will fall on my breast,
it will rain upon my soul night and day,
the snow will burn my heart,
I shall walk with cold and fire and death and snow,
my feet will want to march toward where you sleep,
but
I shall go on living,
because you wanted me to be, above all things,
untamable,
and, love, because you know that I am not just one man
but all men.

translated by Donald D. Walsh

This poem touched the heart of Elvis Presley when given to him in a book entitled "Poems That Touch The Heart" by one of his fellow soldiers prior to him being shipped to Germany in 1958. He had been grieving over the recent death of his mother, Gladys. It is a beautiful poem and is perfect for anyone who has lost someone dear to them.