41. the Massachusetts John Brown song.
by L. Holbrook.
The day of vengeance is in mine heart, and the year of my redeemed is come. --Isaiah 63.Old John Brown's body lies a-mouldering in the dust,
Old John Brown's rifle's red with blood-stains turned to rust,
Old John Brown's pike has made its last, unflinching thrust;
His Soul is marching on.
The car of fire descrying beyond the prison-gloom,
Of all that crowd the calmest, he marched to meet his doom;
The Church, the Bride, no gladder shall go to meet the Groom.
His Soul is marching on.
For treason hung because he struck at treason's root,
When soon Palmetto-tree had ripened treason's fruit,
His dust disquieted stirred at Sumter's last salute--
His Soul is marching on.
Who rides in heaven to battle, a flame of fire His sword?
Behind him march the Army of Martyrs to the Word,
The wine-press of His wrath is trodden by the Lord.
His Soul is marching on.
“Thou soul the altar under, white-robed by martyrdom
Thy cry, ‘ How long, 0 Lord?’ no longer finds me dumb;
Come forth!” calls Christ, “the year of my redeemed is come.”
His Soul is marching on.
“And ye, on earth my Army! tread down God's grapes, till blood
Unto your horses' bridles hath out the wine-press flowed!
The day of vengeance dawns — the day of wrath of God.”
His Soul is marching on.
The pitcher now of compromise away is thrown,
The lamp of faith flames out, and by its light is drawn
The sword of the Lord, and of Old John Brown.
His Soul is marching on.
Then strike! Jehovah shall His sword with victory crown.
For God and Country strike the fiend rebellion down I
For Freedom and the Right! remember old John Brown!
His Soul is marching on.
September 22, 1862.
