Classic Poem

SUPPOSED TO HAVE BEEN SUNG AT NIAGARA FALLS, ON AN ANNIVERSARY OF OUR INDEPENDENCE .

O'er the blue, swelling sky, with a heavenly ray,
The sun shines serene on this glorious day;
And the flag of Columbia waves o'er the steep,
Where Niagara pours all its floods in the deep.

Let the roar of the cannon, the blast of the horn,
Usher in with their wild notes this glorious morn:
Let the toast of warm hearts be drank round to the brave,
Who defended our flag on Ontario's wave.

Let England exult in the fire of her tars:
We can boast braver souls 'neath the blaze of our stars, —
Hearts that glow when the cannon, resounding afar,
Gives the signal of battle, the larum of war.

On the billow of ocean to glory they sail,
While the stars proudly float on the wild-blowing gale;
And a halo encircles the brow of the brave,
When to triumph they march on Ontario's wave.

Let the cannon resound, let the trumpet be blown;
For the demon of War o'er the ocean has flown,
And Peace with her olive-leaf honors the brave,
Who fought for their homes on Ontario's wave.

Let the banner of blood on the wind be unfurled,
And the tempest of discord o'ershadow the world;
Let Peace, with her angel of Mercy, be fled,
And Murder exult in the groans of the dead:

When the trumpet and drum give the signal of war,
The Spirit of Freedom shall kindle her star, —
Shall clothe with her mantle of glory the brave,
Or rock them to rest on Ontario's wave.

They shall march to her foes by her beacon's red light,
And conquer or die in the glorious fight;
And Honor shall dig for the sailor a grave,
Or light him to fame, on Ontario's wave.

Then exult in the day when our nation was born:
Raise the shout of delight, — wind the blast of the horn, —
Peal the roll of the drum, — let the cannon's loud roar
Resound with the torrent that lashes the shore.

Should Britain insult us, our eagle shall fly,
Encircled with stars, on our flag through the sky;
From the mouth of the cannon, the free and the brave
Shall reply to our foes on Ontario's wave.