2 They broke the chains with tears of bondage wet,
And gave their brave young lives for you and nie;
For, where the slave endures, it is a threat
Against the precious freedom of the free.
3 The sun of liberty dispels the dew,
The tears, the night, and shines on near and far;
But, where it only lights the selfish few,
It scars and blights, and sinks in clouds of war.
4 'Tis fragrant gratitude we scatter o'er
The graves of them that died for you and me :
Their names, their dust, their memories once more,
O liberty, we consecrate to thee!
1 Calmly, calmly, lay him down!
He has fought a noble fight;
He has battled for the right;
He has won a fadeless crown.
2 Mem'ries all too bright for tears,
Crowd around us from the past;
He was faithful to the last,-
Faithful through long toilsome years.
3 All that makes for human good
Freedom, righteousness and truth,
These the objects of his youth,
Unto age he still pursued.
4 Kind and gentle was his soul,
Yet it had a glorious might;
Clouded minds it filled with light,
Wounded spirits it made whole.
5 Hoping, trusting, lay him down!
Many in the realms above
Look for him with eyes of love,
Wreathing him immortal crown.