Our noble Major Anderson was good as he was brave, And he knew without His blessing no banner long could wave; So he knelt, with head uncovered, while the chaplain read a prayer, And as the last amen was said, the flag rose high in air.
Then our loud huzzas rang out, far and widely o’er the sea! We shouted for the stars and stripes, the standard of the free! Every eye was fixed upon it, every heart beat warm and fast, As with eager lips we promised to defend it to the last!
’Twas a sight to be remembered, boys—the chaplain with his book, Our leader humbly kneeling, with his calm, undaunted look; And the officers and men, crushing tears they would not shed,— And the blue sea all around us, and the blue sky overhead!
Now, go to bed, my children, the old man’s story’s told,— Stir up the fire before you go, ’tis bitter, bitter cold; And I’ll tell you more to-morrow night, when loud the fierce winds blow, Of gallant Major Anderson and fifty years ago.
FROM BATON ROUGE
From the fierce conflict and the deadly fray A patriot hero comes to us this day.
Greet him with music and with loud acclaim, And let our hills re-echo with his name.
Bring rarest flowers their rich perfume to shed, Like sweetest incense, round the warrior’s head.
Let heart and voice cry “welcome,” and a shout, Upon the summer air, ring gayly out,
To hail the hero, who from fierce affray And deadly conflict comes to us this day.