To horse! to horse! our standard flies,
The bugles sound the call;
An alien navy stems our seas—
The voice of battle’s on the breeze,
Arouse ye, one and all!
From beauteous Southern homes we come,
A band of brothers true—
Resolved to fight for liberty,
And live or perish with our flag—
The noble Red and Blue.
Though tamely crouch to Northern frown
Kentucky’s tardy train;
Though invaded soil Maryland mourns,
Though brave Missouri vainly spurns,
And foaming gnaws the chain;
Oh! had they marked the avenging call
Their brethren’s insults gave,
Disunion ne’er their ranks had mown,
Nor patriot valor, desperate grown,
Sought freedom in the grave;
Shall we, too, bend the stubborn head,
In Freedom’s temple born—
Dress our pale cheek in timid smiles,
To hail a master in our house,
Or brook a victor’s scorn?
No! though destruction o’er the land
Come pouring as a flood,
The sun that sees our falling day,
Shall mark our saber’s deadly sway,
And set that night in blood!
For gold let Northern legions fight,
Or plunder’s bloody gain;
Unbribed, unbought, our swords we draw,
To guard our homes, to fence our law,
Nor shall their edge be vain.
And now that breath of Northern gale
Has fanned the Stars and Bars,
And footstep of invader rude,
With rapine foul, and red with blood,
Us rights and liberty debars.
Then farewell home, and farewell friends,
Adieu each tender tie,
Resolved we mingle in the tide,
Where charging squadrons furious ride,
To conquer or to die.
To horse, to horse! the sabers gleam,
High sounds our bugle-call,
Combined by honor’s sacred tie,
Our word is, Rights and Liberty!
March forward, one and all!
Louisville Courier. |