The Mudcat Café TM
Thread #76253 Message #1348977
Posted By: McGrath of Harlow
06-Dec-04 - 01:22 PM
Thread Name: Lyr Add: Battle Hymn of the Republic (Mark Twain)
Subject: Lyr Add: Mark Twain's Battle Hymn of the Republic
Came across this while I was looking for something else. Over 100 years after Mark Twain wrote it, back in 1900, and it still seems pretty topical:
Battle Hymn of the Republic - (Brought Down to Date)
Mine eyes have seen the orgy of the launching of the Sword; He is searching out the hoardings where the stranger's wealth is stored; He hath loosed his fateful lightnings, and with woe and death has scored; His lust is marching on.
I have seen him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps; They have builded him an altar in the Eastern dews and damps; I have read his doomful mission by the dim and flaring lamps -- His night is marching on.
I have read his bandit gospel writ in burnished rows of steel: "As ye deal with my pretensions, so with you my wrath shall deal; Let the faithless son of Freedom crush the patriot with his heel; Lo, Greed is marching on!"
We have legalized the strumpet and are guarding her retreat;* Greed is seeking out commercial souls before his judgement seat; O, be swift, ye clods, to answer him! be jubilant my feet! Our god is marching on!
In a sordid slime harmonious Greed was born in yonder ditch, With a longing in his bosom -- and for others' goods an itch. As Christ died to make men holy, let men die to make us rich -- Our god is marching on.
* NOTE: In Manila the Government has placed a certain industry under the protection of our flag. (M.T.)