The holy fire that nerved the Greek
To make his stand at Marathon,
Until the last red foeman's shriek
Proclaimed that Freedom's fight was won,
Still lives unquenched--unquenchable!
Through every age its fires will burn--
Lives in the hermit's lonely cell,
And springs from every storied urn!
The hearthstone embers hold the spark
Where fell Oppression's foot hath trod;
Through Superstition's shadow dark
It flashes to the living God!
From Moscow's ashes spring the Russ;
In Warsaw Poland lives again;
Schamyl, on frosty Caucasus,
Strikes Liberty's electric chain!
Tell's freedom-beacon lights the Swiss;
Vainly the invader ever strives;
He finds "Sic Semper Tyrannis"
In San Jacinto's bowie-knives!
Than these--than all--a holier fire
Now burns thy soul, Virginia's son!
Strike then for wife, babe, gray-haired sire;
Strike for the grave of Washington!
The Northern rabble aims for greed;
The hireling parson goads the train--
In that foul crop from bigot seed,
Old "Praise God Barebones" howls again!
We welcome them to "Southern lands"--
We welcome them to "Southern slaves"--
We welcome them "with bloody hands
To hospitable Southern graves!"