Saturday Poetry Corner: Song Of The Saber

 

 

 

 "Guard then the saber, the saber,
Guard, then, the saber,
 for this was freedom's brand.
Guard, then, the saber, the saber,
For it was drawn by loyal hands
to save our native land."

 

American Patriot Soldier
Currier & Ives
Image courtesy/Fine Art Storehouse

 

 

'Tis but a saber worn and rusty,

Yet we still regard it with pride.

Long, long ago this weapon trusty

Hung gleaming at a soldier's side.

 Foes then upon our land were dashing,

Fiery was Revolution's dawn.

Then swiftly from its scabbard, flashing,

In the cause of Freedom, it was drawn.

  Guard then the saber, the saber,

Guard, then, the saber,

 for this was freedom's brand.

Guard, then, the saber, the saber,

For it was drawn by loyal hands

to save our native land.

When the old saber was still bright,

When comrades brave, in peril sharing,

Marched sternly onward to the fight.

This was our liberty's defender,

Borne by a patriot tried and true;

Then ev'ry man cried, "No surrender!"

In the days when this old sword was new. 

 

   Guard then the saber, the saber,

Guard, then, the saber,

 for this was freedom's brand.

Guard, then, the saber, the saber,

For it was drawn by loyal hands

to save our native land.

 

"Song Of The Saber"
Louis Charles Elson
(1848-1920)
American music historian and composer
Influential editor of American music magazines.