Gird on thy well-tried armor,
And soon the braggart North will feel
That right has strength to harm her.
Kentucky boys and girls have we--
From us ye may not take them;
Sad-hearted will ye give them up,
And for the foe forsake them?
Oh, Tennessee, twin-sister, grieves
To take thy hand at parting,
And feel that from its farewell grasp
A brother's blood is starting.
It must not be!--Kentucky, come!
Virginia loudly calls thee,
And Maryland defenseless stands
To share what fate befalls thee.
Come, ere the tyrant's chain is forged,
From out the war-cloud looming;
Come, ere thy palsied knee is bent,
To hopeless ruin dooming.
--Memphis Appeal
