War Lyrics dedicated to the friends of the dead. By A. and L. Shore. Second edition, with additions |
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A VOTE OF THANKS. |
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49
A VOTE OF THANKS.
Clasping hands from your two lands,
Twins in fame and death!
Both your names one love proclaims,
In one ardent breath.
Twins in fame and death!
Both your names one love proclaims,
In one ardent breath.
Different races, different faces,
Different speeches—what ye've done
At th' appeal of one pure zeal,
Melts them all to one!
Different speeches—what ye've done
At th' appeal of one pure zeal,
Melts them all to one!
Noble blows, as fervent foes,
Once ye dealt each other—
Nobler far the death-strokes are,
Brother shares with brother.
Once ye dealt each other—
Nobler far the death-strokes are,
Brother shares with brother.
50
Face to face, ye showed the world,
Once what men could do—
Side by side, your flags unfurled,
Now your past deeds all outdo.
Once what men could do—
Side by side, your flags unfurled,
Now your past deeds all outdo.
To our side—when heroes died,
Crushed by masses, seven to one—
All on flame our brothers came,
And the day was won!
Crushed by masses, seven to one—
All on flame our brothers came,
And the day was won!
Then the cheer Earth ne'er did hear,
Save where fate bids die or win,
From our ranks pealed England's thanks,
As they bounded in.
Save where fate bids die or win,
From our ranks pealed England's thanks,
As they bounded in.
To the brave the hail we gave
In that glorious cry,
Like the rapture of despair,
Went up to the sky.
In that glorious cry,
Like the rapture of despair,
Went up to the sky.
51
Men of England! Men of France!
The sad glories of the field,
With your blood, your brotherhood
To all time have sealed.
The sad glories of the field,
With your blood, your brotherhood
To all time have sealed.
O'er the bed of England's dead
France's tears have run—
England's praise fond homage pays
To the deeds that France has done.
France's tears have run—
England's praise fond homage pays
To the deeds that France has done.
A. December, 1854.
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