A SONG for the death-day of the brave -- A song of pride! The youth went down to a hero's grave, With the sword, his bride. He went with his noble heart unworn, And pure, and high -- An eagle stooping from clouds of morn, Only to die. He went with lyre whose lofty tone Beneath his hand Had thrilled to the name of his God alone And his fatherland. And with all his glorious feelings yet In their first glow, Like a southern stream that no frost hath met To chain its flow. A song for the death-day of the brave -- A song of pride! For him that went to a hero's grave, With the sword, his bride. He hath left a voice in his trumpet lays To turn the flight, And a guiding spirit for after days, Like a watch-fire's light. And a grief in his father's soul to rest, Midst all high thought; And a memory unto his mother's breast, With healing fraught. And a name and fame above the blight Of earthly breath, Beautiful -- beautiful and bright, In life and death! A song for the death-day of the brave -- A song of pride! For him that went to a hero's grave, With the sword, his bride! | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...TO CERTAIN JOURNEYMEN by CARL SANDBURG OF DISTRESS BEING HUMILIATED BY THE CLASSICAL CHINESE POETS by HAYDEN CARRUTH WAR IS KIND: 1 by STEPHEN CRANE TRULY GREAT by WILLIAM HENRY DAVIES THE BROKEN HEART by JOHN DONNE |