183. a war song for Virginia.
Sound, Virginia, sound your clarion,From your serried ranks of war!
Fall in line with State of Marion,
And your glittering falchion draw!
Onward, onward, then, to battle!
For bright freedom points the way;
Though the grape-shot thickly settle,
Onward, onward, to the fray!
Though each Northern squadron dashes
On, as wave up to the rock--
Though each foeman's sword-blade flashes,
Onward, onward, meet the shock!
Love of freedom, honor, glory,
Makes each freeman's arm a host;
This we are taught by minstrel story,
Tyrants learn but at their cost.
Look, and see “proud Edward's power,”
Crushed by Bruce at Bannockburn;
See of Austria's host, the flower
Bite the dust by Lake Lucerne.
Mark the Persian hordes parading,
Rushing, flee from Marathon!
And the British lion invading,
Crouching to your Washington,
[147] So, Virginia, sound your clarion,
From your serried ranks of war!
Fall in line with State of Marion,
And your glittering falchion draw!
For the banner which once floated
Over Freedom's native land--
Flag, to which you are devoted,
Is borne by a tyrant's band.
Save, oh, save it from pollution,
Though your noblest sons fall dead!
Save it, though in revolution
All its stars with blood be red!
Then, with “Southern Cross” emblazon
Its blue field in colors bold,
So that we may proudly gaze on
Fifteen clustering stars of gold.
--Richmond Enquirer.
