Monday, August 10, 2009

Ode to Liberty...By E.R.S. Smith

Fairest spirit of the skies,
Fairest child of Paradise,
Once Columbia's lawful prize—
Glorious Liberty.

Thee our noble fathers sought—
For thyself our heroes fought,


Thus our bleeding patriots bought
Precious Liberty.

When thy banner waves abroad,
All may freely worship God,
Fearless of the tyrant's rod—
Sacred Liberty.

Never, never cease to wave
O'er the ashes of the brave;
Shield, O shield the patriot's grave—
Flag of Liberty.

Should oppression boldly dare
From thy brow the wreath to tear,
Righteous vengeance shall not spare
The foes of Liberty.

Sooner than to bondage yield,
Bravely in the battle field,
Let the sons of freemen wield
The sword for Liberty.

God, who moved our worthy sires,
When they kindled Freedom's fires,
Zion's noble sons inspires
To cherish Liberty.

Here, with godlike grasp and bold,
We the Constitution hold,
Pure as when it's sacred fold
Sheltered Liberty.

Freedom, Justice, Truth and Peace,
Shall throughout these vales increase;
Shout, O shout, till time shall cease,
Truth and Liberty!

Here, amid the mountain sky,
Freedom's banner waves on high;
Let the heaven-born echo fly—
GOD AND LIBERTY!

3 Comments:

At 9:10 AM, Blogger Renie Burghardt said...

Beautiful! Thank you for sharing, Lucy.

"With Liberty and Justice for All!"

 
At 8:47 PM, Blogger Putz said...

don.t read my comment on health care by lucy stern

 
At 11:25 AM, Blogger Big Dave T said...

I read recently that the number of WW2 veterans are rapidly dwindling, and with them their often poignant or harrowing stories of the war. A poem like this is a fitting tribute to that generation in particular.

 

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