Attack+on+Fort+Sumter

April 11, 1863

Anniversary of the Attack on Fort Sumter
By George Henry Boker

When our banner went down, With its ancient renown, Betrayed and degraded by treason, Did they think, as it fell, What a passion would swell Our hearts when we asked them the reason?  O, then, rally, brave men,  To the standard again,  The flag that proclaims us a nation!  We will fight, on its part,  While there’s life in a heart,  And then trust to the next generation.

Although causeless the blow That at Sumter laid low That flag, it was seed for the morrow; And a thousand flags flew, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">For the one that fell true, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">As traitors have found to their sorrow. <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;"> O, then, rally, brave men, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;"> To the standard again, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;"> The flag that proclaims us a nation! <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;"> We will fight, on its part, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;"> While there’s life in a heart, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;"> And then trust to the next generation.

<span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">‘T was in flashes of flame <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">It was brought to a shame <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">Till then unrecorded in story; <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">But in flashes as bright <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">It shall rise in our sight, <span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',Times,serif; font-size: 120%;">And float over Sumter in glory!

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