The old Ship of State.
by David Barker, of Exeter) me.
O'er the dark and gloomy horizon that bounds her, Through the storm and the night and the hell that surrounds her,I can see, with a faith which immortals have given, Burning words, blazing out o'er the portals of Heaven--
“She will live!”
But a part of the freight which our forefathers gave her
We must cast to the deep yawning waters to save her--
'Tis the chain of the slave we must fling out to light her,
'Tis the brand and the whip we must yield up to right her.
She will live!
Clear the decks of the curse! If opposed by the owner,
Hurl the wretch to the wave, as they hurled over Jonah;
With a “Freedom to all!” gleaming forth from our banner,
Let the tyrant yet learn we have freemen to man her.
She will live!
She will live while a billow lies swelling before her,
She will live while the blue arch of heaven bends o'er her,
While the name of a Christ to the fallen we cherish,
Till the hopes in the breast of humanity perish.
She will live!
