Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, BUNKER HILL, JUNE 17, 1840, by GEORGE LUNT


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

BUNKER HILL, JUNE 17, 1840, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: We've been up the brave old hill, brother
Last Line: Still keep it free, or die!'
Subject(s): American Revolution; Bunker Hill, Battle Of; Soldiers


WE'VE been up the brave old hill, brother,
Where our fathers went before,
And their gallant spirit still was there,
Unbroken as of yore;
As fresh and bright the good green sward,
And summer's golden flood
Swept, as of old, the hallowed ground,
That drank our fathers' blood.

We've been up the brave old hill, brother,
Where many a year ago,
Fresh from love's parting kiss they came,
To meet the gathering foe;
The sheeted flame was all around,
The embattled host beneath,
And ringing on the summer air
The trumpet-voice of death.

We knew, within those manly breasts,
Their hearts beat strong and high,
For home and country's dearer name
They stood, to save or die;
And, true to every burning hope
The undying spirit craves,
We marked their path through toil and blood,
And blessed our fathers' graves.

And myriads thronged the steep to-day,—
The bold,—the true,—the fair,—
The soft breeze played with youth's bright locks,
And age's reverend hair;
There was many a form in manhood's prime,
With heart as staunch and tried,
As the hearts that slept beneath their feet,
On the green hill's pleasant side.

From the broad land's utmost verge they came,
With a shout like the forest's roar,
From the lonely vale in the mountain's breast,
And homes by the sea-beat shore;
Iron men from the frozen North,
And sons of the ocean-isle,—
From the Western wild-wood's primal gloom,
And the sweet South's sunny smile.

We stood on the brave old hill, brother,
In the strength of a holy name,
And burning thoughts upon our hearts
Broke out in words of flame;
'Free be the blood-bought field,' we cried,
'Free as the broad blue sky!'
And spirit-voices seemed to say,
'Still keep it free, or die!'





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