Rouse from your shameful slumbers. Put away
Your strange gods from among you. Turn again;
That in the drawing of some nobler day
The hosts of sin may be rebuked of men,
And the Ark of God re-taken.
[THE WHITE RIBBON ARMY]
(Air: King Bibbler's Army.)
FOR M. B. T.
In the years, years ago, when the true-hearted women,
Started forth on their errand of prayer,
Many said, "'Tis the cry of the Home for protection";
Many said, "'Tis delusion and snare."
Some said, softly, "God bless you"; some murmured, "Mistaken";
Some the swift shafts of calumny hurled;
But they went bravely forward, a praying procession,
Marching out, out, out in the world.
Chorus
Hark! hark! a trembling chorus:
No, no, no, no;
We cannot have Rum ruling o'er us;
No, no, no, no;
And now to save our young men the White-Ribbon Army
Marches on, on, on round the world.
At the head of the host came the silver-haired mothers,
Arm in arm with the daughters so fair;
While the wives for their husbands, the girls for their brothers,
Raise their voices to heaven in prayer.
As their pleadings prevail, and "the worst foe" surrenders,
The white banner of peace is unfurled;
And we now may behold them, a joyful procession,
Marching on, on, on round the world.
Chorus