Then through the dark and murky clouds
The morning sunlight came,
And forth from Sumter's frowning walls
Burst sudden sheets of flame.
Then shot and shell flew thick and fast,
The war-dogs howling spoke,
And thundering came their angry roar,
Through wreathing clouds of smoke.
Again to fight for liberty
Our gallant sons had come,
They smiled when came the bugle call,
And laughed when tapped the drum.
From cotton and from corn field,
From desk and forum, too,
From work bench and from anvil came
Our gallant boys and true!
A hireling band had come to awe,
Our chains to rivet fast;
Yon lofty pile scowls on our homes
Seaward the hostile mast.
But gallant freemen man our guns,—
No mercenary host,
Who barter for their honor's price,
And of their baseness boast.
Now came our stately matrons,
And maidens, too, by scores;
Oh! Carolina's beauty shone
Like love-lights on her shores.
See yonder, anxious gazing,
Alone a matron stands,
The tear-drop glistening on each lid,
And tightly clasped her hands.
For there, exposed to deadly fire,
Her husband and her son—
"Father," she spoke, and heavenward look'd,
"Father, thy will be done."
See yonder group of maidens,
No joyous laughter now,
For cares lie heavy on each heart
And cloud each anxious brow;