SIN LYON. BY HENRY PETERSON. ING, bird, on green Missouri's plain, Drop tears, O clouds, in gentlest rain Up rose serene the August sun Up curled from musket and from gun Now broken and now blended, Four thousand men, as brave and true The strength of their despairing. Fair Freedom's cause was sword and shield, And at their head was Lyon! The leader's troubled soul looked forth And felt the shadows close like night 'General, come lead us !" loud the cry From a brave band was ringing— "Lead us, and we will stop, or die, That battery's awful singing.” He spurred to where his heroes stood, Twice wounded-no wound knowing The fire of battle in his blood And on his forehead glowing. Oh, cursed for aye that traitor's hand, So Lyon died! and well may flowers For never had this land of ours Living, his country was his pride, Rest, patriot, in thy hillside grave, Avenge the patriotic gore That flecked the streets of Baltimore, And be the battle queen of yore, Maryland, my Maryland! Hark to an exiled son's appeal, Maryland! My Mother State, to thee I kneel, Maryland! For life or death, for woe or weal, Thy peerless chivalry reveal, And gird thy beauteous limbs with steel, Maryland, my Maryland! Thou wilt not cower in the dust, Maryland! Thy beaming sword shall never rust, Maryland! Remember Carroll's sacred trust, Remember Howard's warlike thrust, And all thy slumberers with the just, Maryland, my Maryland! Come! 'tis the red dawn of the day, Come with thy panoplied array. Maryland! With Ringgold's spirit for the fray, With Watson's blood at Monterey, With fearless Lowe and dashing May, Maryland, my Maryland! Dear Mother, burst the tyrant's chain, Maryland! Virginia should not call in vain, Maryland! She meets her sisters on the plain, "Sic semper!" 't is the proud refrain That baffles minions back amain, Maryland! Arise in majesty again, Maryland, my Maryland! |