William McCarty, comp. The American National Song Book. 1842.
The Dying WarriorGeorge Hooker Colton (18181847)
“F
Thousands around me are silent and cold;
Brief my existence, but deathless my glory,
As you, ye bright worlds, that can never grow old.
Lo! now I die for thee,
Heavenly-born Liberty—
On thy star-dwelling banner my name be enroll’d.
Yet shall we meet by unperishing springs!
Sister, the world—if with frowns it behold thee—
God will spread o’er thee his cherishing wings!
Father—thou near to me
Slumberest, how silently!
But light to thy spirit immortally clings!
How thy pale lips falter’d, ‘Must thou be gone?
Yet—yet thy country calls!’ O gentle-hearted,
Thousands are with me; yet I am alone!
But my last thought shall be
Freedom and thee, Mary,
Where the perish’d are countless, the living are flown.
Yet with a vision unclouded by tears,
Soon will my soul, from its dull mansion flying,
Mix with your brightness, immortal in years.
Yet shalt thou be, Mary,
Dearest to memory,
Mid the music and light of their far-rolling spheres!
Close my cold lips with the seal of thy love,
How would I welcome Eternity’s morrow!
She comes!—let me clasp thee, thou Death’s gentle dove!
Breathe thy sweet voice, Mary!
O cruel phantasy!
Can it be but a vision?—yet meet we above!”