60. a song for the Illinois Volunteers.
by Agnes.
We are nobles of the prairie, and we come, and we comeTo fight for Law and Liberty, and our dear prairie home;
No craven hearts or coward hands are numbered in our ranks,
Our souls were never shackled with the chains that Slavery clanks.
We arc free, we are free,
And we ever mean to be,
Forever, ever free,
In death or victory!
Our banner is a galaxy of glorious silver stars,
Freedom's history is written on its white and crimson bars,
In the face of Southern foes we will flaunt our dear old flag,
And it never shall be lowered to a vile secession rag:
It shall wave, forever free,
Forever, ever free,
Or a winding sheet shall be,
For us and liberty.
Our Southern foes are brothers — Oh God!
and must we strike
At bosoms born and nursed with us, on Freedom's soil alike?
Alas!
unblushing treachery has stamped the Southern name,
With deeds so dark they mark anew the calendar of shame.
We will teach them that to be
Truly, loyally free,
Is the surest guaranty
Of precious liberty.
When the bugles loudly blow, and the booming guns declare
That the fiery torch of battle is lighted by their glare,
With hearts unchilled by fear, in trust that God is near,
We will show our rebel foes we fight for all we hold most dear.
They shall see, they shall see,
Although no “chivalry,”
We can die for Liberty--
Death, Death, or Liberty!
