THE STAR-SPANGLED BANNER. BY FRANCIS SCOTT KEY. [1780-1843.] Он, say, can you see by the dawn's early light What so proudly we hailed at the twilight's last gleamingWhose broad stripes and bright stars through the perilous fight, O'er the ramparts we watched, were so gallantly streaming? And the rocket's red glare, the bombs bursting in air, Gave proof through the night that our flag was still there; Oh, say, does that star-spangled banner yet wave O'er the land of the free, and the home of the brave? On that shore, dimly seen through the mists of the deep, And where are the foes who so vauntingly swore That the havoc of war and the battle's confusion A home and a country should leave us no more? Their blood has washed out their foul footsteps' pollution. No refuge could save the hireling and slave From the terror of flight, or the gloom of the grave; Oh, thus be it ever, when freemen shall stand Between their loved homes and the war's desolation! Blest with victory and peace, may the heaven-rescued land Praise the Power that hath made and preserved us a nation. Then conquer we must, when our cause it is just; And this be our motto: "In God is our trust;" And the star-spangled banner in triumph shall wave THE MARSEILLAISE. BY ROUGET DE L'ISLE. [1760-1836.] YE sons of Freedom, wake to glory! While peace and liberty lie bleeding? The avenging sword unsheath: March on! march on! all hearts resolved On victory or death. Now, now, the dangerous storm is rolling, The dogs of war, let loose, are howling, And shall we basely view the ruin, While lawless force, with guilty stride, Spreads desolation far and wide, With crimes and blood his hands imbruing? To arms! to arms! ye brave, The avenging sword unsheath: March on march on! all hearts resolved On victory or death. With luxury and pride surrounded, The vile, insatiate despots dare (Their thirst of power and gold unbounded) The avenging sword unsheath: O Liberty! can man resign thee, Once having felt thy generous flame? To arms! to arms! ye brave, The avenging sword unsheath: March on march on! all hearts resolved On victory or death. THE DEPARTURE FOR SYRIA (1809). BY M. DE LABORDE. [1773-1842.] [The music of this song, which was composed by Queen Hortense, mother of Napoleon III., became the national air of the French Empire.] To Syria young Dunois will go, "O Thou who reign'st in heaven above," He prayed, "Grant this to me: The fairest maiden let me love, The bravest warrior be." He pledges then his knightly word, To keep his oath he ever strove, And sang aloud with glee, "The fairest maid shall have my love, And honor mine shall be." Then said the count, "To thee we owe Our victory, I confess; Glory on me thou didst bestow, I give thee happiness: My daughter, whom I fondly love, She, who is fair all maids above, They kneel at Mary's altar both,— And there with happy hearts their troth It was a sight all souls to move; "Give honor to the brave, and love Shall beauty's guerdon be." GOD SAVE THE KING. BY HENRY CAREY. [1696-1743.] GOD save our gracious king, God save the king. O Lord our God, arise, And make them fall; God save us all. The choicest gifts in store, And ever give us cause To sing with heart and voice, God save the king. |