The Soldiers' Rally

OH, rally round the banner, boys, now Freedom’s chosen sign !
See where amid the clouds of war its new-born glories shine !
The despot’s doom, the slave’s dear hope, we bear it on the foe !
God’s voice rings down the brightening path ! Say, brothers, will ye go ?

“ My father fought at Donelson ; he hailed at dawn of day
That flag full-blown upon the walls, and proudly passed away.”
“ My brother fell on Newbern’s shore ; he bared his radiant head,
And shouted, ‘ On ! the day is won ! ’ leaped forward, and was dead.”
“ My chosen friend of all the world hears not the bugle-call ;
A bullet pierced his loyal heart by Richmond’s fatal wall.”
But seize the hallowed swords they dropped, with blood yet moist and red !
Fill up the thinned, immortal ranks, and follow where they led !
For right is might, and truth is God, and He upholds our cause,
The grand old cause our fathers loved, — Freedom and Equal Laws!

“ My mother’s hair is thin and white; she looked me in the face,
She clasped me to her heart, and said, ' Go, take thy brother’s place ! ’ ”
“ My sister kissed her sweet farewell; her maiden cheeks were wet;
Around my neck her arms she threw ; I feel the pressure yet.”
“ My wife sits by the cradle’s side and keeps our little home,
Or asks the baby on her knee, ‘ When will thy father come ?'”
Oh, woman’s faith and man’s stout arm shall right the ancient wrong !
So farewell, mother, sister, wife ! God keep you brave and strong !
The whizzing shell may burst in fire, the shrieking bullet fly,
The heavens and earth may mingle grief, the gallant soldier die ;
But while a haughty Rebel stands, no peace ! for peace is war.
The land that is not worth our death is not worth living for !

Then rally round the banner, boys ! Its triumph draweth nigh !
See where above the clouds of war its seamless glories fly !
Peace, hovering o’er the bristling van, waves palm and laurel fair,
And Victory binds the rescued stars in Freedom’s golden hair !