’Tis midnight and the solemn hush
Is shattered by a sudden gush,
A swaying turbulence of sound
That on the startled ear rebounds.
Ring, happy bells, for as you ring
Sweet memories about you cling;
Again we independent stand,
Deliverers of this dear land.
The signal boom triumphant comes
’Mid clashing bells and throbbing drums,
As eager bon-fires flaming high
Imprint their glory on the sky.
We hear the words of Washington,
We praise his work and cry “Well done!”
And when we closer look we see
Our pride, the father of the free.
While briefly glancing down the years
Behold a host of grand careers.
They gave us knowledge, virtue, land
And arts which every year expand.
We honor Lincoln, steadfast, true,
Type of what one good man can do;
He loosed the shackels of the slave:
Preserve the liberty he gave.
The grim destruction of the Maine
Was not a source of grief in vain,
The sadness of her loss was meant
To bring to Cuba’s heart content.
O’er restless miles of ocean vast
Columbia’s brave sons have passed,
Till other nations love to view
Our flag, the red, the white, the blue.
Philippines, to patriot eyes,
A trust, but never more a prize;
McKinley’s noble work shall live:
We fight, we conquer, we forgive.
To crown a stricken race’s release,
Welcome the blessed boon of peace.
Whatever gifts our homes may bless,
May we no distant homes oppress.