48. our heroes.
Ah! no, they have not passed away,
The glorious men of old,
Of lofty deeds, whose souls were cast
In virtue's sternest mould.
O patriot names! Brighter for such
Shines forth the storied past;
O loyal lives! in days of gloom
A beacon to the last.
Hear ye their call? Up! Save this Land!
Fulfil your mission high;
It stirs each true heroic heart,
That thrilling battle-cry.
They come! they come! O waiting souls!
They gather in their might;
Their hearts are leal, their swords are true,
They battle for the right.
Thank God, my country, for the brave,
The wise, the eloquent;
Their noblest thoughts are given to thee,
And on thy future bent.
They fight and bleed and die
On hill-side, plain, and sea,
That the old flag cleansed from every stain
May yet float fair and free!
The glorious men of old,
Of lofty deeds, whose souls were cast
In virtue's sternest mould.
O patriot names! Brighter for such
Shines forth the storied past;
O loyal lives! in days of gloom
A beacon to the last.
Hear ye their call? Up! Save this Land!
Fulfil your mission high;
It stirs each true heroic heart,
That thrilling battle-cry.
They come! they come! O waiting souls!
They gather in their might;
Their hearts are leal, their swords are true,
They battle for the right.
Thank God, my country, for the brave,
The wise, the eloquent;
Their noblest thoughts are given to thee,
And on thy future bent.
They fight and bleed and die
On hill-side, plain, and sea,
That the old flag cleansed from every stain
May yet float fair and free!
S. R. C. Brunswick, me., January 10, 1863.
