 | Later Lays and Lyrics |  |
BATTLE CALL.
I.
Up and arm! Up and arm, for the land is in danger;On footmen, and horsemen, and swift rifle ranger;
Leave shop, office, factory, counters and farms,
While the cry thrills all hearts, one and all fly to arms!
Let cowards retreat,
While our starred banner-sheet
Flaps the gale.
II.
Up and arm! Up an arm, for the hordes of SecessionAre marching against us, all black with transgression;
73
The soil of the Key-Stone their footsteps pollute:
Let cowards retreat,
While our starred banner-sheet
Flaps the gale.
III.
Up and arm! for the soil by our fathers adored!The best cure for treason are shot, shell and sword;
Then rush like the waves of the sea to the shock,
Let us meet them as met by the surge is the rock.
Let cowards retreat,
While our starred banner-sheet
Flaps the gale.
IV.
Up and arm for the country of Carroll and Wirt!Shall freemen the flag of the Union desert;
Shall Washington fall, while base faction prevails,
And the dagger of Treason our Union assails?
Let cowards retreat,
While our starred banner-sheet
Flaps the gale.
V.
Up and arm! In the thunder and smoke of the strifeMy curse on the wretch who would not offer life
In guarding the fabric upreared by our sires,
While blazes on each hill-top the land's beacon fires:
Let cowards retreat,
While our starred banner-sheet
Flaps the gale.
74
VI.
Up and arm! though the wife of your bosom is dying,The children you love on their death-beds are lying;
Far better a grave in the soil you defend,
Than dastard, drag out a long life to the end.
Let cowards retreat,
While our starred banner-sheet
Flaps the gale.
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