When the Lord calls up earth's heroes to stand before His face,
O, many a name unknown to fame shall ring from that high place!
And out of a grave in the Southland, at the just God's call and beck,
Shall one man rise with fearless eyes and a rope about his neck.
Statue of Sam Davis
Nashville, Tennessee
For men have swung from gallows whose souls were white as snow,
Not how they die nor where, but why, is what God's records show.
And on that mighty ledger is writ Sam Davis' name.
For honor's sake he would not make a compromise with shame.
The great world lay before him, For he was in his youth.
With love of life young hearts are rife. But better he loved truth.
He fought for his convictions; and when he stood at bay,
He would not flinch or stir one inch from honor's narrow way.
They offered life and freedom if he would speak the word.
In silent pride he gazed aside as one who had not heard.
They argued, pleaded, threatened,-it was but wasted breath.
"Let come what must, I keep my trust," he said and laughed at death.
He would not sell his manhood to purchase a priceless hope.
Where kings cast down a name and crown he dignified a rope.
Ah, grave! where was your triumph? Ah, death! where was your sting?
He showed you how a man could bow to doom and stay a king.
And God, who loves the loyal because they are like Him,
I doubt not yet that soul shall set among His cherubim.
O Southland, fling your laurels! And add your wreath, O North!
Let glory claim the hero's name and tell the world his worth.
Saint Stephen*
(1601)
Giacomo Cavedoni
(1577-1660)
"A Poem To Confederate Hero Sam Davis"
Ella Wheeler Wilcox
(1850-1919)
American author and poetess
* Stephen was the first martyred Christian
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