 | Lines in Pleasant Places |  |
131
WAR LYRICS.
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MASSACHUSETTS.
I hear an army's mighty tread,
And the sound of war's alarms;
I read a thought, serene but dread,
Written in gleaming arms;
A solemn purpose fills the air
Like the holy effluence of prayer.
And the sound of war's alarms;
I read a thought, serene but dread,
Written in gleaming arms;
A solemn purpose fills the air
Like the holy effluence of prayer.
I feel the thrill of a people's heart
In the drum tap's stirring beat,
And the quickened pulse's fervid start
In the rush of hasty feet,
And the gleam of vengeful glances shines
Along the bayonets' glistening lines.
In the drum tap's stirring beat,
And the quickened pulse's fervid start
In the rush of hasty feet,
And the gleam of vengeful glances shines
Along the bayonets' glistening lines.
I see a nation's triumph stand
In acts of generous trust,
Where wealth unclasps its iron hand
And scatters the needed dust—
Giving the sinews of golden life
To the holy cause of Freedom's strife.
In acts of generous trust,
Where wealth unclasps its iron hand
And scatters the needed dust—
Giving the sinews of golden life
To the holy cause of Freedom's strife.
'Tis Massachusetts' glance of light—
The glare of the glittering steel,
The earnest of her awful might
In the vital thrill we feel,
And her voice is the cannon's blasting breath,
That speaks to Treason the doom of Death.
The glare of the glittering steel,
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In the vital thrill we feel,
And her voice is the cannon's blasting breath,
That speaks to Treason the doom of Death.
Honest old Commonwealth! to thee
Thy children look with pride;
Thy name a pass-word to the free,
With right identified;
Thy bidding we hear, like a mother's word,
And our hearts to their deepest depths are stirred.
Thy children look with pride;
Thy name a pass-word to the free,
With right identified;
Thy bidding we hear, like a mother's word,
And our hearts to their deepest depths are stirred.
God bless thee! every heart outpours,
And every arm grows strong,
From mountain bound to ocean shores,
Thy glory to prolong;
To live in thy cause is an honor high,
But a greater in such a cause to die.
And every arm grows strong,
From mountain bound to ocean shores,
Thy glory to prolong;
To live in thy cause is an honor high,
But a greater in such a cause to die.
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THE SIXTH AT BALTIMORE.
Our country called on her sons for aid,
And we shouldered the gun and drew the blade,
Leaving the anvil, the plough, and saw,
To fight for the Union and for law,
—To fight for the flag our fathers bore—
And our pathway led through Baltimore.
And we shouldered the gun and drew the blade,
Leaving the anvil, the plough, and saw,
To fight for the Union and for law,
—To fight for the flag our fathers bore—
And our pathway led through Baltimore.
There was no moment for doubts or fears,
There was no time for sighs nor tears;
We said “good by,” with hurried breath,
Then marched to the field of life or death,
And fealty to our land we swore
Ere we marched to its aid through Baltimore.
There was no time for sighs nor tears;
We said “good by,” with hurried breath,
Then marched to the field of life or death,
And fealty to our land we swore
Ere we marched to its aid through Baltimore.
And godly hands in blessing were spread,
And smiles from Beauty were on us shed,
And the starry flag, that we bore in pride,
Was cheered and lauded on every side,
With devotion never known before,
As we took up our march for Baltimore.
And smiles from Beauty were on us shed,
And the starry flag, that we bore in pride,
Was cheered and lauded on every side,
With devotion never known before,
As we took up our march for Baltimore.
'Twas April nineteenth day, and the sun
That had seen the carnage at Lexington,
Shone on us as we took our way
Through lanes of foeman in hate's array,
And a scowling look each stern face wore
That we saw as we marched through Baltimore.
That had seen the carnage at Lexington,
Shone on us as we took our way
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And a scowling look each stern face wore
That we saw as we marched through Baltimore.
Then hateful glances took sterner form,
And rained upon us a fearful storm;
Fierce, terrible missiles around us fell,
'Mid oaths that might shame the sons of hell;
But we quailed not 'mid the angry roar
That swept through the streets of Baltimore.
And rained upon us a fearful storm;
Fierce, terrible missiles around us fell,
'Mid oaths that might shame the sons of hell;
But we quailed not 'mid the angry roar
That swept through the streets of Baltimore.
Not a shout or cry in our ranks was heard,
But our rifles spoke the voiceless word,
And our leaden sentences went deep
To put seditious hearts to sleep;
Yet sadly, though sternly, we deplore
Our own brave, fallen at Baltimore.
But our rifles spoke the voiceless word,
And our leaden sentences went deep
To put seditious hearts to sleep;
Yet sadly, though sternly, we deplore
Our own brave, fallen at Baltimore.
But the guerdon of glory's for those who fall;
For the nation's flag is their funeral pall,
And the nation's tears the turf bedew
That covers their hearts so bold and true;
Deathless are they who life gave o'er
On the bloody pavements of Baltimore.
For the nation's flag is their funeral pall,
And the nation's tears the turf bedew
That covers their hearts so bold and true;
Deathless are they who life gave o'er
On the bloody pavements of Baltimore.
The dead return, the arms to nerve
And strengthen hearts that else might swerve;
They speak again, from the silent sod,
In a voice that stirs like the voice of God,
And heroes vow, from their hearts' deep core,
To follow the Sixth through Baltimore.
And strengthen hearts that else might swerve;
They speak again, from the silent sod,
In a voice that stirs like the voice of God,
And heroes vow, from their hearts' deep core,
To follow the Sixth through Baltimore.
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THE WAY WE WENT TO BEAUFORT.
Full fifty sail we were that day
When out to sea we sped away,
With a feeling of brooding mystery;
Bound—there was no telling where;
But well we knew there was strife to share,
And we felt our mission was bound to bear
A place in heroic history.
When out to sea we sped away,
With a feeling of brooding mystery;
Bound—there was no telling where;
But well we knew there was strife to share,
And we felt our mission was bound to bear
A place in heroic history.
The man at the helm, nothing knew he
As he steered his ship out into the sea,
On that morn of radiant beauty;
And the ships outspread their wings, and flew
Like sea-birds over the water blue;
One thought alone each one of us knew—
How best to do his duty.
As he steered his ship out into the sea,
On that morn of radiant beauty;
And the ships outspread their wings, and flew
Like sea-birds over the water blue;
One thought alone each one of us knew—
How best to do his duty.
Not a breath of wherefore or why was heard,
Not a doubting thought or a doubting word,
Or idle speculation;
But a spirit of inspiring trust
Filled each man's breast, as it always must
When leaders are brave and a cause is just—
And ours the cause of the nation.
Not a doubting thought or a doubting word,
Or idle speculation;
But a spirit of inspiring trust
Filled each man's breast, as it always must
When leaders are brave and a cause is just—
And ours the cause of the nation.
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And thus we went—the hurricane's breath
Was felt in our track, like the blast of death,
But we had no thought of turning;
Onward, and onward, the good fleet sped,
Locked in its breast the secret dread,
To break in gloom over treason's head,
Where—we should soon be learning.
Was felt in our track, like the blast of death,
But we had no thought of turning;
Onward, and onward, the good fleet sped,
Locked in its breast the secret dread,
To break in gloom over treason's head,
Where—we should soon be learning.
But brave Dupont and Sherman knew
Where the bolt should light, and each gallant crew
Was ready to heed their orders.
Port Royal, ho!—and a bright warm day;
We made the land many miles away,
And sullenly there before us lay
Fierce Carolina's borders.
Where the bolt should light, and each gallant crew
Was ready to heed their orders.
Port Royal, ho!—and a bright warm day;
We made the land many miles away,
And sullenly there before us lay
Fierce Carolina's borders.
The mystery was all compassed then,
And the heart of seasick weary men
Cheered up, the prospect viewing;
There is that grit in the human mind,
However gentle, or good, or kind,
That is always to double its fist inclined
When near where a fight is brewing.
And the heart of seasick weary men
Cheered up, the prospect viewing;
There is that grit in the human mind,
However gentle, or good, or kind,
That is always to double its fist inclined
When near where a fight is brewing.
The rebel guns waked a fearful note
From our rifled cannon's open throat,
And our shells flew fast and steady.
The battle is over—the strife is done—
The stars and bars from the forts have run—
The blow is struck and victory won—
Beaufort is ours already!
From our rifled cannon's open throat,
And our shells flew fast and steady.
The battle is over—the strife is done—
The stars and bars from the forts have run—
The blow is struck and victory won—
Beaufort is ours already!
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And then we sailed to the beautiful town,
Where we tore the emblem of treason down,
And planted the starry banner;
And the breezes of heaven seemed to play
With the folds in a tender and loving way,
As though they were proud to welcome the day,
And the old familiar manner.
Where we tore the emblem of treason down,
And planted the starry banner;
And the breezes of heaven seemed to play
With the folds in a tender and loving way,
As though they were proud to welcome the day,
And the old familiar manner.
A thrill pervaded the loyal land
When the gladdening tidings came to hand;
Each heart felt joy's emotion;
The cloud of gloom and doubt dispersed,
The sun of hope through the darkness burst,
And the zeal the patriot's heart had nurst
Burned with a warm devotion.
When the gladdening tidings came to hand;
Each heart felt joy's emotion;
The cloud of gloom and doubt dispersed,
The sun of hope through the darkness burst,
And the zeal the patriot's heart had nurst
Burned with a warm devotion.
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GRIERSON'S RAID.
[_]
[Both sides came out of the war about even in the matter of raids, not counting Sherman's March to the Sea.]
Who has not heard of Grierson's Raid,
And the feats of valor therein displayed?
'Twas a brave, bold dash through the hostile land
That scattered terror on every hand,
Making the rebel heart afraid
At the daring valor of Grierson's Raid!
And the feats of valor therein displayed?
'Twas a brave, bold dash through the hostile land
That scattered terror on every hand,
Making the rebel heart afraid
At the daring valor of Grierson's Raid!
Over their mountains and over their plains,
The rider his galloping courser strains;
His sword gleams bright in the foeman's face,
And ruin follows his onward pace;
While eyes are sad and hearts dismayed
At the terrible scourge of Grierson's Raid.
The rider his galloping courser strains;
His sword gleams bright in the foeman's face,
And ruin follows his onward pace;
While eyes are sad and hearts dismayed
At the terrible scourge of Grierson's Raid.
Through their cities and over their streams
The flag of the Union once more gleams;
There's a curse on the air, but in under breath,
As the troopers go on their work of death;
Like lightning flashes each loyal blade
To light the path of Grierson's Raid.
The flag of the Union once more gleams;
There's a curse on the air, but in under breath,
As the troopers go on their work of death;
Like lightning flashes each loyal blade
To light the path of Grierson's Raid.
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Onward, yet onward, O, who may stay
The fiery tide of this fearful day?
It sweeps like a tempest along his path,
And whelms the rebel in vengeful wrath;
The smoking bridge shows War's fierce trade,
And fire and ruin mark Grierson's Raid.
The fiery tide of this fearful day?
It sweeps like a tempest along his path,
And whelms the rebel in vengeful wrath;
The smoking bridge shows War's fierce trade,
And fire and ruin mark Grierson's Raid.
Onward, yet onward, the blazing roof
Echoes in flame to the cavalry hoof;
And fleeing forms in the midnight air,
Revealed by the war-pyre's ruddy glare,
Tell the story, in fear displayed,
Of the woful, terrible Grierson's Raid.
Echoes in flame to the cavalry hoof;
And fleeing forms in the midnight air,
Revealed by the war-pyre's ruddy glare,
Tell the story, in fear displayed,
Of the woful, terrible Grierson's Raid.
Onward, yet onward, unholden the rein,
Till the Union lines are compassed again,
Where a meed of grateful honors is due
For the troopers bold, and tried, and true;
And history never has deed portrayed
That brighter shines than Grierson's Raid.
Till the Union lines are compassed again,
Where a meed of grateful honors is due
For the troopers bold, and tried, and true;
And history never has deed portrayed
That brighter shines than Grierson's Raid.
And rebel mothers their children shall tell
Of the sudden fear that on them fell,
When, swooping down like a bird on its prey,
The Federal troopers came that way,—
A sad recital as ever was made,
The memories dire of Grierson's Raid.
Of the sudden fear that on them fell,
When, swooping down like a bird on its prey,
The Federal troopers came that way,—
A sad recital as ever was made,
The memories dire of Grierson's Raid.
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“POOR BOY!”
“Poor boy!” the mother fondly sighed,
When she had bid the lad farewell,
But in her eye was a lofty pride
That spoke more than her tongue would tell
When she had bid the lad farewell,
But in her eye was a lofty pride
That spoke more than her tongue would tell
And though her nature said “poor boy,”
He in her breast held grander place,
And thrilled it with a nobler joy
Than were he heir of wealth and grace.
He in her breast held grander place,
And thrilled it with a nobler joy
Than were he heir of wealth and grace.
His was the heart to do and dare
In manly battle with the wrong;
She might not in his conflict share,
But she could yield him and be strong.
In manly battle with the wrong;
She might not in his conflict share,
But she could yield him and be strong.
“Poor boy!” O, epithet misplaced.
Not poor by laws that reckon worth;
The noblest record fame has traced
Has had no more exalted birth.
Not poor by laws that reckon worth;
The noblest record fame has traced
Has had no more exalted birth.
The soul that thus in Duty's path
Bounds forward at its first appeal,
More grandeur in the humblest hath
Than titled state that cannot feel.
Bounds forward at its first appeal,
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Than titled state that cannot feel.
Mother, though heavy with your fears,
Throw all your burdening doubts away;
Discard the ministry of tears—
Your boy is crowned a king to-day!
Throw all your burdening doubts away;
Discard the ministry of tears—
Your boy is crowned a king to-day!
Not poor! could you but see the goal
For those the race have nobly run,
'Twould glad your yearning mother-soul
To mark the glory he has won.
For those the race have nobly run,
'Twould glad your yearning mother-soul
To mark the glory he has won.
Not eighty years of golden sands,
Nor life, though spotless of a shame,
So high an eminence commands
As the young hero's laurelled name.
Nor life, though spotless of a shame,
So high an eminence commands
As the young hero's laurelled name.
Thank God, O mother, who hath given
This treasure of immortal price,
That you might render back to Heaven
Your wealth of love as sacrifice.
This treasure of immortal price,
That you might render back to Heaven
Your wealth of love as sacrifice.
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WAR'S CHANGES.
[_]
[Some of the most bellicose men in time of the war, had been, previously, the most strenuous advocates of peace. Mr. Israel Lamb, one thus changed, relates his own experience.]
I can't for the life of me tell what it means,
Or whether if wrong or if right,
But I love to look on militant scenes,
And am spoiling to mix in a fight.
Or whether if wrong or if right,
But I love to look on militant scenes,
And am spoiling to mix in a fight.
I late was reckoned a peaceable man,
And shrunk at all details of strife;
Now I glory the records of bloodshed to scan
And the savagest havoc of life.
And shrunk at all details of strife;
Now I glory the records of bloodshed to scan
And the savagest havoc of life.
I buy all the extras containing the news,
I read all the bulletin boards,
And 'twixt peace and war the latter I choose,
It such keen excitement affords.
I read all the bulletin boards,
And 'twixt peace and war the latter I choose,
It such keen excitement affords.
I feel disappointed every day
With the tales of monotonous peace,
And my bump of benevolence dwindles away
As my truculent organs increase.
With the tales of monotonous peace,
And my bump of benevolence dwindles away
As my truculent organs increase.
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I never the sight of blood could bear,
I never could kill a fly;
But now the carnage of war I could share,
And look red strife in the eye.
I never could kill a fly;
But now the carnage of war I could share,
And look red strife in the eye.
I've bought me a gun and a bowie-knife,
Take lessons of Salignac,
And dreadfully frighten my timid wife
With talk of defence and attack.
Take lessons of Salignac,
And dreadfully frighten my timid wife
With talk of defence and attack.
When friends happen in to sup or dine,
I “p'sent arms” when they come;
I range them in regimental line,
And serve at the tap of the drum.
I “p'sent arms” when they come;
I range them in regimental line,
And serve at the tap of the drum.
The baby wakes me up in the night,
I fancy 'tis war's alarms,
I loudly shriek out, “On with the fight—
The Infantry to arms!”
I fancy 'tis war's alarms,
I loudly shriek out, “On with the fight—
The Infantry to arms!”
My theory for the change is this,
And strengthened every hour:
The thunder of war has turned, I wis,
My milk of kindness sour.
And strengthened every hour:
The thunder of war has turned, I wis,
My milk of kindness sour.
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THE OLD WAR-SHIP.
Resting idly at the pier,
The old war-ship, grim and drear,
Seems begging for our sympathy as we now pass her near.
The old war-ship, grim and drear,
Seems begging for our sympathy as we now pass her near.
We recall her in her pride,
As she plunged into the tide,
When the gallant Ocean, waiting, claimed her as his bride.
As she plunged into the tide,
When the gallant Ocean, waiting, claimed her as his bride.
And trim and taut she lay,
The glory of the bay,
With her energies awakening, all ready for the fray
The glory of the bay,
With her energies awakening, all ready for the fray
Up rose her taper spars,
Till they seemed amid the stars,
And at her peak gleamed forth the white and ruby bars.
Till they seemed amid the stars,
And at her peak gleamed forth the white and ruby bars.
And her batteries' grim frown
Seemed to send a challenge down
To foes who might mean ill to the old and quiet town.
Seemed to send a challenge down
To foes who might mean ill to the old and quiet town.
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And when her wings she spread,
And o'er the waves she sped,
O, many were the things of pride and hope we said.
And o'er the waves she sped,
O, many were the things of pride and hope we said.
But here she is again;
And what a change is plain,
As we recal her glories when first she braved the main!
And what a change is plain,
As we recal her glories when first she braved the main!
Her hulk is soiled and worn,
Of spars and rigging shorn,
And her batteries long since from her embrace were torn.
Of spars and rigging shorn,
And her batteries long since from her embrace were torn.
And, while resting there, we deem
That she must sadly dream
Of her olden glory lost of the ocean and the stream.
That she must sadly dream
Of her olden glory lost of the ocean and the stream.
Ah, what a dream is hers!
If every scene recurs
That has made her story famous which no recreancy blurs.
If every scene recurs
That has made her story famous which no recreancy blurs.
Her cannon's voice has spoke
Where the waves of battle broke,
And Freedom's strains were heard in the echoes she awoke.
Where the waves of battle broke,
And Freedom's strains were heard in the echoes she awoke.
Adown her sides again
The red blood flows amain,
And the splinters fly around from the showers of iron rain.
The red blood flows amain,
And the splinters fly around from the showers of iron rain.
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And while her cannons speak,
Again out from her peak
Floats the glory of her ensign that flushes every cheek.
Again out from her peak
Floats the glory of her ensign that flushes every cheek.
And we love the old ship more
For the glory given o'er,
Than when with pride we blessed her as she parted from the shore.
For the glory given o'er,
Than when with pride we blessed her as she parted from the shore.
| Lines in Pleasant Places | |