Rebellion Record: a Diary of American Events: Poetry and Incidents., Volume 3.
Frank Moore, Ed.

62. Thirty-four.

by Rev. S. F. Smith, D. D.

Fling out the banner on the breeze;
     Shake out each starry fold;
Summon the stalwart soldiers forth,
     The mighty, and the bold--
The bell of Freedom from its tower
     Its solemn call has tolled.

The sound sweeps wildly o'er the land,
     Sweeps o'er the bounding sea;
It echoes, from each mountain-top,
     The anthem of the free;
It snaps the chain which sin has forged
     It sings for liberty.

[49] Marshal the legions for the fight,
     The youthful and the brave;
Stand for the noble and the right,
     The glorious Union save:
Stand for the cause for which their blood
     Our patriot fathers gave.

Dread not the angry foeman's rage,
     Dread not the tempest's crash;
Dread not the billows, though the cliffs
     Along the shore they lash;
Dread not the awful thunder's roar,
     Nor lightnings' piercing flash.

Above the cloud, the brilliant sky
     Shines in immortal blue;
And light, like Heaven's approving smile,
     Streams, in its glory, through;
Be patient, till the strife is o'er;
     Have faith to dare and do.

With willing heart Heaven's high behest
     Fulfil without alarm;
The foe has planted for our hand,
     And nursed the conqueror's palm;
And He that bade the sea “Be still,”
     The stormy waves will calm.

Then fling the banner to the wind--
     The emblem of the free;
Strike the sweet harp-tones that proclaim
     The reign of Liberty;
And bid the melody rebound
     From every trembling key.

And count each star that studs the blue,
     Whate'er the past has been,
A wayward wanderer, welcomed back,
     To fill its place again ;--
A loving band of sister-lights,
     Just like the Old Thirteen.

Strike not one jewel from the crest
     The loving mother wore;
Reset the gems upon her breast,
     Each where it stood before.
Clasp in the glorious cynosure,
     The whole dear Thirty-Four.