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9

The Song of the Guns.

Thunder of cannon and shrieking of shell!
Gallop, ye gunners! the bugle is calling.
Yon post is to reach, 'tho' 'tis portal of Hell.
Gallop, ye gunners! your comrades are falling.
Striving of horses and straining of wheels!
Gallop, ye gunners! so near is disaster.
The heaven is darkened, the earth rocks and reels.
Gallop, ye gunners! for Death rideth faster.
What is this shrilling and buzzing of bees?
Gallop, ye gunners! the bullets are hailing.
What is this rushing like wind in the trees?
Gallop, ye gunners! fear nothing but failing!

10

Hark, how they cheer in the trenches ahead!
Gallop, ye gunners! their hands yet they wave them.
See, yet they stand, 'mid the dying and dead!
Gallop, ye gunners! unlimber and save them!