The poetical works of Robert Stephen Hawker Edited from the original manuscripts and annotated copies together with a prefatory notice and bibliography by Alfred Wallis |
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THE CAROL OF THE PRUSS. |
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 | The poetical works of Robert Stephen Hawker |  |
211
THE CAROL OF THE PRUSS.
Hurrah! for the boom of the thundering gun!
Hurrah for the words they say!—
“Here's a Merry Christmas to every one,
And a Happy New Year's Day!”
Thus saith the King to the echoing ball:
“With the blessing of God we shall slay them all!”
Hurrah for the words they say!—
“Here's a Merry Christmas to every one,
And a Happy New Year's Day!”
Thus saith the King to the echoing ball:
“With the blessing of God we shall slay them all!”
“Up!” said the King, “load, fire, and slay!
'Tis a kindly signal given:
However happy on earth be they,
They'll be happier in heaven.
Tell them, as soon as their souls are free,
They'll sing like birds on a Christmas tree!
'Tis a kindly signal given:
However happy on earth be they,
They'll be happier in heaven.
Tell them, as soon as their souls are free,
They'll sing like birds on a Christmas tree!
“Down with them all! If they rise again,
They will munch our beef and bread;
War there must be with the living men,
There'll be peace when all are dead!
This earth shall be our wide, wide home,
Our foes shall have the world to come!
They will munch our beef and bread;
War there must be with the living men,
There'll be peace when all are dead!
This earth shall be our wide, wide home,
Our foes shall have the world to come!
“Starve! starve them all, till through the skin
You may count each hungry bone:
Tap! tap their veins till the blood runs thin
And their sinful flesh is gone;
While life is strong in the German sky,
What matters it who beside may die!
You may count each hungry bone:
Tap! tap their veins till the blood runs thin
And their sinful flesh is gone;
While life is strong in the German sky,
What matters it who beside may die!
212
“No sigh so sweet as the cannon's breath,
No music like the gun!
Here's a Merry Christmas to War and Death,
And a Happy New Year to none!”
Thus saith the King to the echoing ball:
“With the blessing of God we shall slay them all!”
No music like the gun!
Here's a Merry Christmas to War and Death,
And a Happy New Year to none!”
Thus saith the King to the echoing ball:
“With the blessing of God we shall slay them all!”
December 24, 1870.
| The poetical works of Robert Stephen Hawker | |