For the Services in Memory of Abraham Lincoln

by Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr.

O thou of soul and sense and breath
   The ever-present Giver,
Unto thy mighty Angel, Death,
   All flesh thou dost deliver;
What most we cherish we resign,
For life and death alike are thine,
   Who reignest Lord forever!

Our hearts lie buried in the dust
   With him so true and tender,
The patriot's stay, the people's trust,
   The shield of the offender;
Yet every murmuring voice is still,
As, bowing to thy sovereign will,
   Our best-loved we surrender.

Dear Lord, with pitying eye behold
   This martyr generation,
Which thou, through trials manifold,
   Art showing thy salvation!
Oh let the blood by murder spilt
Wash out thy stricken children's guilt
   And sanctify our nation!

Be thou thy orphaned Israel's friend,
   Forsake thy people never,
In One our broken Many blend,
   That none again may sever!
Hear us, O Father, while we raise
With trembling lips our song of praise,
   And bless thy name forever!