Calm on the listening ear of night Come heaven"s melodious strains, Where wild Judea stretches far Her silver-mantled plains.
Celestial choirs from courts above Shed sacred glories there; And angels, with their sparkling lyres, Make music on the air.
The answering hills of Palestine Send back the glad reply; And greet, from all their holy heights, The Dayspring from on high.
O"er the blue depths of Galilee There comes a holier calm, And Sharon waves in solemn praise Her silent groves of palm.
"Glory to G.o.d!" the sounding skies Loud with their anthems ring, "Peace to the earth, good-will to men, From heaven"s eternal King!"
Light on thy hills, Jerusalem!
The Savior now is born!
And bright on Bethlehem"s joyous plains Breaks the first Christmas morn.
EDMUND H. SEARS.
WHEN WILT THOU SAVE THE PEOPLE?
When wilt Thou save the people?
O G.o.d of mercy, when?
Not kings and lords, but nations!
Not thrones and crowns, but men!
Flowers of Thy heart, O G.o.d, are they; Let them not pa.s.s, like weeds, away, Their heritage, a sunless day.
G.o.d, save the people!
Shall crime bring crime forever, Strength aiding still the strong?
Is it Thy will, O Father, That man shall toil for wrong?
No, say Thy mountains; No, Thy skies; Man"s clouded sun shall brightly rise, And songs ascend, instead of sighs.
G.o.d, save the people!
When wilt Thou save the people?
O G.o.d of mercy, when?
The people, Lord, the people, Not thrones and crowns, but men!
G.o.d save the people; Thine they are, Thy children, as Thine angels fair.
From vice, oppression, and despair, G.o.d, save the people!
EBENEZER ELLIOTT.
THE LAND OF SONG: BOOK II.
_PART II._
[Ill.u.s.tration: DANIEL C. FRENCH.
THE MINUTE MAN.]
PART TWO.
[Ill.u.s.tration]
UNION AND LIBERTY.
Flag of the heroes who left us their glory, Borne through their battlefields" thunder and flame, Blazoned in song and illumined in story, Wave o"er us all who inherit their fame!
Up with our banner bright, Sprinkled with starry light, Spread its fair emblems from mountain to sh.o.r.e, While through the sounding sky Loud rings the Nation"s cry,-- UNION AND LIBERTY! ONE EVERMORE!
Light of our firmament, guide of our Nation, Pride of her children, and honored afar, Let the wide beams of thy full constellation Scatter each cloud that would darken a star!
Up with our banner bright, Sprinkled with starry light, Spread its fair emblems from mountain to sh.o.r.e, While through the sounding sky Loud rings the Nation"s cry,-- UNION AND LIBERTY! ONE EVERMORE!
Empire unsceptered! what foe shall a.s.sail thee, Bearing the standard of Liberty"s van?
Think not the G.o.d of thy fathers shall fail thee, Striving with men for the birthright of man!
Up with our banner bright, Sprinkled with starry light, Spread its fair emblems from mountain to sh.o.r.e, While through the sounding sky Loud rings the Nation"s cry,-- UNION AND LIBERTY! ONE EVERMORE!
Yet if, by madness and treachery blighted, Dawns the dark hour when the sword thou must draw, Then with the arms of thy millions united, Smite the bold traitors to Freedom and Law!
Up with our banner bright, Sprinkled with starry light, Spread its fair emblems from mountain to sh.o.r.e, While through the sounding sky Loud rings the Nation"s cry,-- UNION AND LIBERTY! ONE EVERMORE!
Lord of the Universe! shield us and guide us, Trusting Thee always, through shadow and sun!
Thou hast united us, who shall divide us?
Keep us, O keep us, the MANY IN ONE!
Up with our banner bright, Sprinkled with starry light, Spread its fair emblems from mountain to sh.o.r.e, While through the sounding sky Loud rings the Nation"s cry,-- UNION AND LIBERTY! ONE EVERMORE!
OLIVER WENDELL HOLMES.
SONG OF MARION"S MEN.
Our band is few, but true and tried, Our leader frank and bold; The British soldier trembles When Marion"s name is told.
Our fortress is the good greenwood, Our tent the cypress tree; We know the forest round us, As seamen know the sea.
We know its walls of th.o.r.n.y vines, Its glades of reedy gra.s.s, Its safe and silent islands Within the dark mora.s.s.
Woe to the English soldiery That little dread us near, On them shall light at midnight A strange and sudden fear: When, waking to their tents on fire, They grasp their arms in vain, And they who stand to face us Are beat to earth again; And they who fly in terror deem A mighty host behind, And hear the tramp of thousands Upon the hollow wind.