University of Virginia Library

39. Trumpet Song

THE battle-drum's loud rattle is rending the air,
The troopers all are mounted, their sabres are bare;
The guns are unlimbered, the bayonets shine,
Hark! hark! 'tis the trumpet-call! wheel into line!
Tara! ta ta ta!
Trum trum, tra ra ra ra!
Beat drums and blow trumpets!
Hurrah, boys, hurrah!
March onward, soldiers, onward, the strife is begun,
Loud bellowing rolls the boom of the black-throated,
gun;
The rifles are cracking, the torn banners toss,
The sabres are clashing, the bayonets cross.
Ta ra, etc.
Down with the leaguing liars, the traitors to their trust,
Who trampled the fair charter of Freedom in dust!
They falter-they waver-they scatter— they run
The field is our own, and the battle is won!
Ta ra, etc.

160


God save our mighty people and prosper our cause!
We're fighting for our nation, our land, and our laws!
Though tyrants may hate us, their threats we defy,
And drum-beat and trumpet shall peal our reply!
Ta ra ! ta ta ta !
Beat drums and blow trumpets !
Trum trum, tra ra ra ra !
Hurrah, boys, hurrah !