Carolinians! who inherit
Blood which flowed in patriot veins!
Rouse ye from lethargic slumber,
Rouse and fling away your chains!
From the mountain to the seaboard,
Let the cry be--Up! Arise!
Throw our pure Palmetto banner
Proudly upward to the skies.
Fling it out! its lone star beaming
Brightly to the nation's gaze;
Lo! another star arises!
Quickly, proudly _it_ emblaze!
Yet another! Bid it welcome
With a hearty "three times three";
Send it forth, on boom of cannon,
Southern men will _dare be free_.
Faster than the cross of battle
Summoned rude Clan Alpine's host,
Flash the news from sea to mountain--
Back from mountain to the coast!
On the lightning's wing it fleeth,
Scares the eagle in his flight,
As his keen eye sees arising
Glory, yet shall daze his sight!
Cease the triumph--days of darkness
Loom upon us from afar:
Can a woman's voice for battle
Ring the fatal note of war?
Yes--when we have borne aggression
Till submission is disgrace--
Southern women call for _action_;
Ready would the danger face!
Yes, in many a matron's bosom
Burns the Spartan spirit now;
From the maiden's eye it flashes,
Glows upon her snowy brow;
E'en our infants in their prattle
Urge us on to _risk our all_--
"Would we leave them, as a blessing.
The oppressor's hateful thrall?"
No!--then up, true-hearted Southrons,
Like bold "giants nerved by wine";
Never fear! The cause is holy--
It is sacred--yea, divine!
For the Lord of Hosts is with us,
It is _He_ has cast our lot;
Blest our homes--from lordly mansion
To the humblest negro cot.
God of battles! hear our cry--
Give us nerve to _do_ or _die_!