Mt. Vernon's shade sweet vigil keeps
Where on her breast her hero sleeps;
O passing bells, soft be your tone,
Toll gently for our Washington.
Toll, the great Warrior's strife is o'er;
Toll, for the Statesman pleads no more;
Toll — for a Man is fallen — on,
Peal out your dirge for Washington.
Toll for a people's wounded heart,
Toll for a bleeding Nation's smart,
Toll for a World!— toll sadly on —
The world hath lost a Washington.
Ring out your wailing on the air,
And let it be a voice of prayer;
He whom we greatly need is gone;—
God give another Washington.
Thus while she listened to the mournful knell
That woke sad echoes on Potomac's shore;
Saw how from Sumter's height her banner fell,
And heard, not distant far, loud battle's roar;—
Thus, while she heard the impatient bondman's moan,
Knew her own power defied, her trust betrayed;
While Treason rose to hurl her from her throne —
The Spirit of the Union mused and prayed.