Poems (Elliott)/The Call On Arms
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The Call On Arms
From pillaged town and burnt-out smouldering fire,
From wounded soldiers suffering on the wire,
From desecrated temples of the Lord,
From widows made by bayonet and sword,
From desolated homes, whence peace has flown,
From helpless orphans starving and alone,
From heroes bravely fighting day by day,
From wives, who only tremble, weep and pray,
The prayer goes up, "How long, O Lord, how long?
Must we still suffer, must we still be strong?"
All Europe calls! Our brothers o'er the sea
Look to this nation's strength to set them free.
Long have we waited, shall we fail them still,
Shall we yet hesitate our blood to spill
In cause so righteous? Nay, be it not so!
Unfurl the Stars and Stripes! Right onward go
And rid these suffering people of their Foe.
From wounded soldiers suffering on the wire,
From desecrated temples of the Lord,
From widows made by bayonet and sword,
From desolated homes, whence peace has flown,
From helpless orphans starving and alone,
From heroes bravely fighting day by day,
From wives, who only tremble, weep and pray,
The prayer goes up, "How long, O Lord, how long?
Must we still suffer, must we still be strong?"
All Europe calls! Our brothers o'er the sea
Look to this nation's strength to set them free.
Long have we waited, shall we fail them still,
Shall we yet hesitate our blood to spill
In cause so righteous? Nay, be it not so!
Unfurl the Stars and Stripes! Right onward go
And rid these suffering people of their Foe.