There’s a general alarm, The South’s begun to arm, And every hill and glen Pours forth its warrior men; Yet, “There’s nothing going wrong,” Is the burden of my song. Six States already out, Beckon others on the route; And the cry is “Still they come!” From the Southern sunny home; Yet, “There’s nothing going wrong,” Is the burden of my song. There’s a wail in the land, From a want-stricken band; And “Food! Food!” is the cry: “Give us work or we die!” Yet, “There’s nothing going wrong,” Is the burden of my song. The sturdy farmer doth complain Of low prices for his grain; And the miller, with his flour, Murmurs the dullness of the hour. Yet, “There’s nothing going wrong,” Is the burden of my song. The burly butcher in the mart, He, too, also takes his part; And the merchant in his store Hears no creaking of his door. But, “There’s nothing going wrong,” Is the burden of my song. Stagnation is everywhere; On the water, in the air, In the shop, in the forge, On the mount, in the gorge; With the anvil, with the loom, In the store and counting-room; In the city, in the town, With Mr. Smith, with Mr. Brown! And “yet there’s nothing wrong,” Is the burden of my song. A. M. W. New Orleans, March 4, 1861. |