Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, HYMN FOR MEMORIAL DAY, by WILLIAM STEWARD GORDON


Poetry Explorer

Classic and Contemporary Poetry

HYMN FOR MEMORIAL DAY, by                    
First Line: Lift your eyes to yonder city
Last Line: Over every land and sea.
Subject(s): Holidays; Memorial Day; Declaration Day


Lift your eyes to yonder city
On the placid plains of Peace!
See the human river flowing
In a stream that does not cease!

'Tis "the river that makes happy
The city of our God,"
Where the priceless blood of freedom
Never stains the sacred sod.

Those the royal knights and noble
Who once died to keep their tryst
As they bound their country's colors
Round the banner of their Christ.

See them passing through the portals!
See the epaulets they wear!
Kindred spirits, brave immortals,
For the hero's home so fair.

See the scarred and halting remnant
Who their Captain's call await!
Painfully the white procession
Presses upward to the gate.

But the ranks are ever filling
With the souls who dare to die
For their faith in God and country
And a holy purpose high.

Maids and mothers still are lifted
In that sublimated love
Where they live on lost caresses
And the treasured hopes above.

Still in tears they bid their warriors,
"Go and battle for the right,"
While they brave life's long nightwatches
That the land may have the light.

And recruits will e'er be ready
For the battles yet to be,
Till a flag of truce is lifted
Over every land and sea.





Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!


Other Poems of Interest...
Home: PoetryExplorer.net