Beat! beat! drums!--blow! bugles!
blow!
Through the windows--through doors
--burst like a ruthless force.
Into the solemn church, and scatter
the congregation,
Into the school where the scholar is
studying;
Leave not the bridegroom quiet--no
happiness must he have now
with his bride,
Nor the peaceful farmer any peace
ploughing his field or gathering
his grain,
So fierce you whirr and pound you
drums--so shrill you bugles blow.
Beat! beat! drums!--blow! bugles!
blow!
Over the traffic of cities--over the rumble
of wheels in the streets;
Are beds prepared for sleepers at night
in the houses? no sleepers must
sleep in those beds,
No bargainers' bargains by day--no
brokers or speculators--would
they continue?
Would the talkers be talking? would the
singer attempt to sing?
Would the lawyer rise in the court to
state his case before the judge?
Then rattle quicker, heavier drums--you
bugles wilder blow.
Beat! beat! drums!--blow! bugles!
blow!
Make no parley--stop for no
expostulation,
Mind not the timid--mind not the weeper
or prayer,
Mind not the old man beseeching the
young man,
Let not the child's voice be heard, nor
the mother's entreaties,
Make even the trestles to shake the
dead where they lie awaiting the
hearses,
So strong you thump O terrible drums
--so loud you bugles blow.