The Greensborough Patriot

April 24, 1862

Page 4

On, On to the Just and Glorious Strife!

-----------

On, on to the just and glorious strife!

With your swords your freedom shielding;

Nay resign if it must be so, even life,

But die, at the last unyielding.

On to the strife! For ‘twere far more meet

To sink with the foes who bay you,

Than crouch, like dogs, at your tyrant’s feet,

And smile on the swords that slay you.

Shall Northern slaves be masters then,

Of the land which your fathers gave you!

Shall the tyrant triumph o’er Southern men,

When your own good swords may save you!

No! let him feel that their arms are strong,

That their courage will fail them never;

Who strive to repay long years of wrong,

And bury past shame forever.

Let him know there are hearts, however bowed

By the chains which he threw around them,

That will rise, like a spirit from pall and shroud

And cry wo ! to the slaves who bound them.

Let him learn how weak is a tyrant’s might,

Against liberty’s sword contending;

And find how sons of the South can fight,

Their freedom and land defending.

Then on, then on to the glorious strife!

With your swords your country shielding;

And resign, if it must be so, even life,

But die, at last, unyielding.

Strike ! for the sires who left you free!

Strike ! for their sakes who bore you!

Strike for your homes and liberty,

And the Heavens you worship o’er you!

Then on to the just and glorious strife!

With freedom’s banner wielding,

Posterity will revenge your life—

And die at last, unyielding.