Chips, fragments and vestiges by Gail Hamilton collected and arranged by H. Augusta Dodge |
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A BATTLE SONG FOR FREEDOM |
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 | Chips, fragments and vestiges by Gail Hamilton |  |
A BATTLE SONG FOR FREEDOM
Men of action! Men of might!
Stern Defenders of the right!
Are you girded for the fight?
Stern Defenders of the right!
Are you girded for the fight?
Have you marked and trenched the ground
Where the din of arms must sound
Ere the victor can be crowned?
Where the din of arms must sound
Ere the victor can be crowned?
Have you guarded well the coast,
Have you marshalled all your host,
Standeth each man at his post?
Have you marshalled all your host,
Standeth each man at his post?
Have you counted up the cost,
What is gained and what is lost,
When the foe your lines have crost?
What is gained and what is lost,
When the foe your lines have crost?
122
Gained—the infamy of fame,
Gained—a dastard's deathless name,
Gained—eternity of shame!
Gained—a dastard's deathless name,
Gained—eternity of shame!
Lost—desert of manly worth,
Lost—the right you had by birth,
Lost—lost! Freedom for the Earth!
Lost—the right you had by birth,
Lost—lost! Freedom for the Earth!
Freemen! Up! The foe is nearing!
Haughty banners high uprearing!
Lo! their serried ranks appearing!
Haughty banners high uprearing!
Lo! their serried ranks appearing!
Freemen! On! The drums are beating,
Will you shrink from such a meeting?
Forward! Give them hero greeting!
Will you shrink from such a meeting?
Forward! Give them hero greeting!
From your hearths and homes and altars,
Backward hurl your proud assaulters,
He is not a man that falters.
Backward hurl your proud assaulters,
He is not a man that falters.
Hush! the hour of fate is nigh
By the God who dwells on high,
O my brothers, do or die.
By the God who dwells on high,
O my brothers, do or die.
Oct. 25, 1856.
| Chips, fragments and vestiges by Gail Hamilton | |