Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE CRUSADERS' MARCH, by WILLIAM EDMONSTOUNE AYTOUN


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE CRUSADERS' MARCH, by                 Poet Analysis     Poet's Biography
First Line: Raise ye up the song of zion
Last Line: Cross and banner, sword and spear!
Alternate Author Name(s): Bon Gaultier (with Theodore Martin)
Subject(s): Christianity; Crusades; Faith; Martyrs; Belief; Creed


I

RAISE ye up the song of Zion;
Raise it up 'mong Judah's hills.
Who will dare to meet the Lion
By the fountains of the rills?
Strong, strong -- raise the song!
Raise it the hills among,
Raise it till the Moslem hear --
Sound, sound, trump and drum!
Let them know we come --
Cross and banner, sword and spear!

II

Base it were for us to linger
By the dull and weary wave,
While the Unbeliever's finger
Points with scorn the Holy Grave.
Ride, ride! -- to-morrow's tide
Sees us the spot beside
Watered by our Lady's tear.
Sound, sound, trump and drum!
Let them know we come --
Cross and banner, sword and spear!

III

Saintly forms above are bending,
Martyrs' hands are beckoning on;
They, the brave, who died contending
For the faith that Christians own!
Speed, speed! -- pilgrim's weed
Shows not like steel at need.
Men in mail, not monks, are here!
Sound, sound, trump and drum!
Let them know we come --
Cross and banner, sword and spear!

IV

Lo! the evening shadows gather;
See, the night is settling down.
Shield us, O Almighty Father! --
Shield our army, and thine own!
Halt, halt! beneath the palm
Raise ye the evening psalm,
Raise it up both loud and clear.
Sound, sound, trump and drum!
Let them know we come --
Cross and banner, sword and spear!

V

Bright the stars above are burning,
As they may have burned of yore,
When the shepherds, home returning,
Told the words that angels bore.
Pray, pray! for the day
Calls us again away.
Once more let the foemen hear.
Sound, sound, trump and drum!
Let them know we come --
Cross and banner, sword and spear!





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