What! shall we now throw down the blade,
And doff the helmet from our brows?
_Now_ see our holy cause betrayed,
And recreant prove to all our vows?
When first we drew these patriot swords,
"A nation's freedom!" was the cry;
Our faith was pledged in these proud words,
And heaven has sealed the oath on high.
Since then on dear-bought battle-plains
We've seen our martyr brethren die,
While on the soil that drank those stains,
Their native earth where now they lie,
The foe now treads--th' exulting foe,
And desecrates the hero-graves.
Say, can we peace or honor know
While there the accursed banner waves?
Dear are our homes, that smile afar;
Oft in the weary soldier's dreams,
While resting from the toils of war,
He sees the light that round them beams.
Dear are the loved and lovely maids
Shrined in the patriot soldier's heart;
Yet, while the foe our land invades,
In vain the longing tear may start.
_No!_ let the despot's hireling band,
Who feel not honor--know not faith,
Who war not for their native land,
Fly trembling from a dreaded death.
Our lives are to our country pledged,
Until her last red field is won;
For "liberty or death" is waged
The war where fights her faithful son.
Then plant that flag-staff in the earth,
And round it rally, every son
Who loves the State that gave him birth,
Till her proud sovereignty be won.
What though our limbs be weak with toil,
What though we bear full many a scar;
Huzza! here's to our native soil,
_We re-enlist, and for the war_!