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Caroling Dusk/The Band of Gideon

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For other versions of this work, see The Band of Gideon.
Joseph S. Cotter, Jr.4752569Caroling Dusk — The Band of Gideon1927Countee Cullen

THE BAND OF GIDEON

The band of Gideon roam the sky,The howling wind is their war-cry,The thunder’s role is their trump’s peal,And the lightning’s flash their vengeful steel.      Each black cloud      Is a fiery steed.      And they cry aloud      With each strong deed,“The sword of the Lord and Gideon.”
And men below rear temples highAnd mock their God with reasons why,And live in arrogance, sin and shame,And rape their souls for the world’s good name.      Each black cloud      Is a fiery steed.      And they cry aloud      With each strong deed,“The sword of the Lord and Gideon.”
The band of Gideon roam the sky,And view the earth with baleful eye;In holy wrath they scourge the landWith earth-quake, storm and burning brand.      Each black cloud      Is a fiery steed.      And they cry aloud      With each strong deed,“The sword of the Lord and Gideon.”
The lightnings flash and the thunders roll,And “Lord have mercy on my soul,”Cry men as they fall on the stricken sod,In agony searching for their God.      Each black cloud      Is a fiery steed.      And they cry aloud      With each strong deed,“The sword of the Lord and Gideon.”
And men repent and then forgetThat heavenly wrath they ever met,The band of Gideon yet will comeAnd strike their tongues of blasphemy dumb.      Each black cloud      Is a fiery steed.      And they cry aloud      With each strong deed,“The sword of the Lord and Gideon.”