We name our heroes in the hush That follows battle's awful roar, And count the cost of that great rush To victory! They deemed no more
Than just the simple right to shed Their blood in such a holy cause. Where the unconquered died or bled We turn, from our safe ground, and pause
To wonder how, in days long gone, Such power was given to right the wrong! We deem them worthy of all praise, The heroes of that battlefield;
And looking backward to those days, That meed of praise most gladly yield. Were they more true to dictates bold Of honor in that olden time?
Or, when the weight of proof is told, Rang out the truth in purer chime? Gave they more freely of life's stream Than we would do? than we dare dream?
They did not flinch when in the wage Of war stern duty's standard waved, But heart and hand did both engage, And on each soul was deep engraved
“Country and Home;” fit words to urge To action more heroic still, As o'er that mighty ocean's surge Rang out the watchward of their will!
As onward pressed to liberty The men through whom we now are free! In conflict rang their cry of might, “Ours is the cause that must be won;
God is the helper of the right!” So sped the word at Lexington, While hurrying from peaceful plow To war's red-stained field they came.
Not theirs‘ neath tyranny to bow; Not theirs a country's death and shame; But to go on to greater height With wings outspread for purer flight.
Hail heroes in our country's need! We bring ye wreathes of laurel leaves; We gather of the scattered seed In full and ripened harvest sheaves.
Yours be it e'er to lift our minds To realms of higher deed and thought; Be ours to loose what here but binds And holds us from the object sought.
Then may we hope, in time, to stand As staunch and true as that brave band. To-day, as meet, we hold this page Of History before the world;
While overhead, undimmed by age Our country's flag is all unfurled! O emblem of sweet Freedom's gift, Not vainly are thy stars displayed!
To thee our eyes with pride we lift; Thy Stars and Stripes our strength have made. Hail! heroes of brave deeds well done; Hail! day that gave us Lexington!
Cookies on Poetry Cove