Poetry Explorer


Classic and Contemporary Poetry


JOHN BROWN by EDNA DEAN PROCTOR

First Line: JOHN BROWN DIED ON THE SCAFFOLD FOR THE SLAVE
Last Line: FREEDOM REIGNS TO-DAY!
Subject(s): ABOLITIONISTS; BROWN, JOHN (1800-1859); CAPITAL PUNISHMENT; FREEDOM; SLAVERY; ANTI-SLAVERY; HANGING; EXECUTIONS; DEATH PENALTY; LIBERTY; SERFS;

JOHN BROWN died on the scaffold for the slave,
Dark was the hour when we dug his hallowed grave;
Now God avenges the life he gladly gave,
Freedom reigns to-day!
Glory, glory hallelujah,
Glory, glory hallelujah,
Glory, glory hallelujah,
Freedom reigns to-day!

John Brown sowed and the harvesters are we;
Honor to him who has made the bondsman free;
Loved evermore shall our noble ruler be,
Freedom reigns to-day!

John Brown's body lies mouldering in the grave;
Bright o'er the sod let the starry banner wave;
Lo! for the million he perilled all to save,
Freedom reigns to-day!

John Brown's body through the world is marching on;
Hail to the hour when oppression shall be gone;
All men will sing in the better day's dawn,
Freedom reigns to-day!

John Brown dwells where the battle's strife is o'er;
Hate cannot harm him, nor sorrow stir him more;
Earth will remember the martyrdom he bore,
Freedom reigns to-day!

John Brown's body lies mouldering in the grave;
John Brown lives in the triumph of the brave;
John Brown's soul not a higher joy can crave,
Freedom reigns to-day!



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