This is the hour they then foretold —
When earth, inebriate with crime,
Laughed right to scorn, and guilt, grown bold,
Knelt worshiping at mammon's shrine.
This is the hour! Corruption's band
Is driven back; and periled right,
Rescued by the “fanatic” hand,
Spans our broad heaven of light.
Righteousness ne'er — awestruck or dumb —
Feared for an hour the tyrant's heel!
Injustice to the combat sprang;
God to the rescue — Liberty, peal!
Joy is in every belfry bell —
Joy for the captive! Sound it long!
Ye who have wept fourscore can tell
The holy meaning of their song.
‘ Tis freedom's birthday — blood-bought boon!
O war-rent flag! O soldier-shroud!
Thine be the glory — nor too soon
Is heard your “Cry aloud!”
O not too soon is rent the chain
And charter, trampling right in dust!
Till God is God no longer — ne'er again
Quench liberty that's just.