The Commonweal/Volume 1/Number 1/The March of the Workers

by William Morris

THE MARCH OF THE WORKERS.

To the tune of “John Brown.”

What is this, the sound and rumour? What is this that all men (illegible text)
Like the wind in hollow valleys when the storm is drawing near,
Like the rolling on of ocean in the eventide of fear?

'Tis the people marching on.

Whither go they, and whence come they? What are these of whom (illegible text) tell?
In what country are they dwelling 'twixt the gates of heaven and hell?
Are they mine or thine for money? Will they serve a master well?

Still the rumour's marching on.

Chorus—

Hark the rolling of the thunder! Lo the sun! and lo, thereunder Riseth wrath, and hope, and wonder,

And the host comes marching on.

Forth they comes from grief and torment; on their (illegible text) health and mirth,
All the wide world is their dwelling, every corner of the (illegible text)
Buy them, sell them for thy service! Try the (illegible text) worth,

For the days are marching on.

These are they who build thy houses, weave they (illegible text), (illegible text) thy wheat,
Smooth the ragged, fill the barren, turn the bitter into sweet,
(illegible text) What reward for them is meet?

Till the feast comes marching on.

Chorus—Hark the rolling, &c.

Many a hundred years, passed over, have they laboured deaf and blind;
Never tidings reached their sorrow, never hope their toil might find.
Now at last they've heard and hear it, and their cry comes down the wind,

And their feet are marching on.

O ye rich men, hear and tremble! for with words the sound is rife:
“Once for you and death we laboured; changed henceforward is the strife.
We are men, and we shall battle for the world of men and life;

And our host is marching on.”

Chorus—Hark the rolling, &c.

“Is it war, then? Will ye parish as the dry wood in the fire?
Is it peace? Then be ye of us, let your hope be our desire.
Come and live! for life awaketh, and the world shall never tire,

And hope is marching on.”

“On we march then, we the workers, and the rumour (illegible text)
Is the blended sound of battle and deliv'rance drawing near?
For the hope of every creature is the banner than we bear.”

And the world is marching on.

Chorus—Hark the rolling, &c.

WILLIAM MORRIS.