Voices from the crowd :: :: University of Virginia Library

We want no flag, no flaunting rag,
For Liberty to fight;
We want no blaze of murderous guns,
To struggle for the right.
Our spears and swords are printed words,
The mind our battle-plain;
We've won such victories before,
And so we shall again.

II

We love no triumphs sprung of force—
They stain her brightest cause:
'Tis not in blood that Liberty
Inscribes her civil laws.
She writes them on the people's heart
In language clear and plain;
True thoughts have moved the world before,
And so they shall again.

III

We yield to none in earnest love
Of Freedom's cause sublime;
We join the cry, “Fraternity!”
We keep the march of Time.

And yet we grasp nor pike nor spear,
Our victories to obtain;
We've won without their aid before,
And so we shall again.

IV

We want no aid of barricade
To show a front to wrong;
We have a citadel in truth,
More durable and strong.
Calm words, great thoughts, unflinching faith,
Have never striv'n in vain;
They've won our battles many a time,
And so they shall again.

V

Peace, Progress, Knowledge, Brotherhood—
The ignorant may sneer,
The bad deny; but we rely
To see their triumph near.
No widows' groans shall load our cause,
Nor blood of brethren stain;
We've won without such aid before,
And so we shall again.