By ROBERT LOWELL.
Stillfirst, as long and long ago,Let Massachusetts muster;Give her the post right next the foe;Be sure that you may trust her.She was the first to give her bloodFor freedom and for honor;She trod her soil to crimson mud;God's blessing be upon her!She never faltered for the right,Nor ever will hereafter;Fling up her name with all your might,Shake roof-tree and shake rafter!But of old deeds she need not brag,How she broke sword and fetter;Fling out again the old striped flag!She'll do yet more and better.In peace her sails fleck all the seas,Her mills shake every river;And where are scenes so fair as theseGod and her true hands give her?Her claim in war who seek to rob?All others come in later;—Hers first it is to front the mob,The tyrant, and the traitor.God bless, God bless this glorious State!Let her have her way in battle!She'll go where batteries crash with fateOr where thick rifles rattle.Give her the Light and let her try,And then who can may press her;She'll go straight on or she will die;God bless her, and God bless her!
Stillfirst, as long and long ago,Let Massachusetts muster;Give her the post right next the foe;Be sure that you may trust her.She was the first to give her bloodFor freedom and for honor;She trod her soil to crimson mud;God's blessing be upon her!
She never faltered for the right,Nor ever will hereafter;Fling up her name with all your might,Shake roof-tree and shake rafter!But of old deeds she need not brag,How she broke sword and fetter;Fling out again the old striped flag!She'll do yet more and better.
In peace her sails fleck all the seas,Her mills shake every river;And where are scenes so fair as theseGod and her true hands give her?Her claim in war who seek to rob?All others come in later;—Hers first it is to front the mob,The tyrant, and the traitor.
God bless, God bless this glorious State!Let her have her way in battle!She'll go where batteries crash with fateOr where thick rifles rattle.Give her the Light and let her try,And then who can may press her;She'll go straight on or she will die;God bless her, and God bless her!
May 7, 1861.