Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, THE NEW MEMORIAL DAY, by ALBERT BIGELOW PAINE



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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

THE NEW MEMORIAL DAY, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Oh, the roses we plucked for the blue
Last Line: Slumber our heroes to-day.
Subject(s): American Civil War; Holidays; Memorial Day; U.s. - History; Declaration Day


OH, the roses we plucked for the blue
And the lilies we twined for the gray,
We have bound in a wreath,
And in silence beneath,
Slumber our heroes to-day.

Over the new-turned sod
The sons of our fathers stand,
And the fierce old fight
Slips out of sight
In the clasp of a brother's hand.

For the old blood left a stain
That the new has washed away,
And the sons of those
That have faced as foes
Are marching together to-day.

Oh, the blood that our fathers gave!
Oh, the tide of our mothers' tears!
And the flow of red,
And the tears they shed,
Embittered a sea of years.

But the roses we plucked for the blue,
And the lilies we twined for the gray,
We have bound in a wreath,
And in glory beneath
Slumber our heroes to-day.





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