THE BATTLE CALL
E'en as of peace we sang,
While yet the laughter rang,
Burst the red storm.
Past is the long prelude,
Bloody and grim and nude
Looms the dread form.
Gone is the haunting fear,
Duty alone stands clear,
Ours to perform.
Blow, British bugles, blow!
O'er land and seas aflow,
Call round the world,
Over thy vales and crags,
Under thy battle flags,
Proudly unfurled,
Till all thy children, all,
Leap to thy martial call,
For freedom hurled.
From o'er the western sea,
Mother, we come to thee—
Come o'er the foam.
From east and south and north,
Gladly we issue forth,
Where e'er we roam.
Courage, thou lion heart,
Soon shall we do our part
For King and throne.
Fearless of death and flame,
Forward in Freedom's name
We shall advance.
Until the menace dies,
Until it stricken lies
Under our lance.
Though death be our repose,
Live Shamrock, Thistle, Rose,
Lillies of France!