57. on! brothers, on!
by Sarah Warner Brooks.
Air--“Hail to the Chief”. On! brothers, on! for the Flag that is peerless!Striped from the rainbow, and starred from the sky.
On, with a sturdy step! dauntless and fearless!
On, to unfurl it in triumph, or die!
Honored in all the lands,
Now shall unholy hands
Trail it, defiled and despised, in the dust?
Down with the “traitor's rag” !
Up with the starry Flag!
Death for our Banner! and God for the just!
Fiercely at Sumter have thundered their cannon--
Bravely the guns of our hero replied!--
On! for the ashes that slumber at Vernon!
On! for the city whose name is our pride!
Now let our country's guns
Sweep down the bastard sons!
Woe for her chivalry's flower in the dust!
Down with the “traitor's rag” !
Up with the starry Flag!
Death for our Banner! and God for the just!
On, with a prayer! this peril before us!
On, in the face of death, fearless and proud!
Life! with the Flag that our fathers waved over us!
Death! with its crimson-stained folds for a shroud!
Now for our i “fatherland,”
Strike with true heart and hand!
Loyal our venture — and Heavenward our trust!
Down with the “traitor's rag” !
Up with the starry Flag!
Death for our Banner! and God for the just!
--Providence Journal.
