3. “but God is over all.”
by M. H. Cobb.
Night closes in with threat'ning skies,And hoarsely moans the gale;
Without, the trees like spectres rise,
Encased in wintry mail;
From glowing grates we turn, to think
On whom these rigors fall,
And who their deathly cup shall drink--
But God is over all!
How fare they in the distant camp--
The father, brother, son?
Oh! many brows with death are damp,
With many life is done!
O mothers, wives! distraught with fears,
Lest your beloved should fall,
Remember, in this rain of tears,
That God is over all!
No base ambitions quickened these;
They saw but Freedom's need;
No dreams of flow'ry paths of ease,
No bribe but valor's meed;
And some shall win the hero's grave,
The battle-smoke their pall;
But honor dwells where fall the brave,
And God is over all!
How nobler these than they who fought
And fell in ancient time!
For in this strife shall be outwrought
A purpose void of crime;
Base men have filled, and bid us drink,
A cup o'erbrimmed with gall,
And forge new fetters, link by link--
But God is over all!
Where thickest falls war's leaden rain,
And on its crimson sea,
They closely press, and fight again
The battles of the free;
And many are the deaths they dare,
From hurtling shell and ball,
Which make their awful music there--
But God is over all!
Remember, ye who watch the night
With dimming eyes and pain,
That he who gives his life for Right,
His death shall not be vain;
Him shall men know as Freedom's son,
When they his deeds recall,
Who had unfaltering trust in One
Whose care is over all.
