National Anniversay Ode
Ho! for the day in the whole year the brightest!
Long may it live in the heart of the nation!
Long may it be ere the names are forgotten
That boldly were signed to the grand declaration!
Shout, sons of liberty! shout for the one land free
Under the sun!
On this thrice blessèd day its bonds were struck away,
Its thongs undone!
Ho! for our banner, the emblem of freedom!
What can arouse a true hero’s devotion–
What like the Stars and Stripes, floating above us?
Queen of all lands, and the peer of the ocean.
Oh! it is fair to see, oh! it is dear to me,
Flag of the brave!
Time’s wheel shall cease to move, true hearts shall cease to love,
Ere it cease to wave.
But there’s a blemish now staining our banner!
The bright stars are dimmed, and the fair stripes are spotted,
With the tears of the drunkard’s wife, mother, and children,
With hot tears of shame is our flag blurred and blotted.
Victims of tyranny, strike till our land is free
From King Alcohol;
Strike down his whelps of sin, rum, brandy, beer, and gin
Strangle them all.
Up to the contest, and wipe out this blemish!
Columbia’s son, and Columbia’s daughter,
God speed the day when the one 'Land of Freedom’
Shall add to its title the 'Land of Cold Water’!
Three cheers for Columbia, and this, her natal day!
God bless the right,
And guard from a traitor’s hand, this our beloved land,
And the Red, Blue, and White!
July 4th, 1871.
Other works by Ella Wheeler Wilcox...
