Since then on dear-bought battle-plains We've seen our martyr brethren die, While on the soil that drank those stains, Their native earth where now they lie, The foe now treads--th' exulting foe, And desecrates the hero-graves. Say, can we peace or honor know While there the accursèd banner waves?
Dear are our homes, that smile afar; Oft in the weary soldier's dreams, While resting from the toils of war, He sees the light that round them beams. Dear are the loved and lovely maids Shrined in the patriot soldier's heart; Yet, while the foe our land invades, In vain the longing tear may start.
_No!_ let the despot's hireling band, Who feel not honor--know not faith, Who war not for their native land, Fly trembling from a dreaded death. Our lives are to our country pledged, Until her last red field is won; For "liberty or death" is waged The war where fights her faithful son.
Then plant that flag-staff in the earth, And round it rally, every son Who loves the State that gave him birth, Till her proud sovereignty be won. What though our limbs be weak with toil, What though we bear full many a scar; Huzza! here's to our native soil, _We re-enlist, and for the war_!
They sing of the East, With its flowery feast, And clime of the North, with its mountains of snow; But give me the land Where the breezes blow bland, O'er realms of magnolia and myrtle below. The land of the South, The fair sunny South, The flower-crowned South, In its _grandeur_ for me.
Her sons are aye brave, And no chains can enslave, Though countless the hordes of their foemen may be; Ah! see, even now, As with battle-stained brow, They vanquish the Northmen on land and on sea! The land of the South, The young gallant South, The invincible South, In its _valor_ for me.
Her daughters are fair As the pure lilies there, And cheer her brave soldiers for freedom to die; Their smiles are the light Of the war-clouded night, Their tears are sweet dew-drops distilled from the sky. The land of the South, The sweet rosy South, The starry-gemmed South, In its _beauty_ for me!
In green blossomed dales, And in violet vales, And fields white with cotton, its dwellings once stood; The spoilers now seek Their vile vengeance to wreak, And darken this Eden with ashes and blood! The land of the South, The opulent South, The long-plundered South, In its _richness_ for me!