William McCarty, comp. The American National Song Book. 1842.
Hymn: ‘When the dying flame of day’Henry Wadsworth Longfellow (1807–1882)
W
Through the chancel shot its ray,
Far the glimmering tapers shed
Faint light on the cowled head,
And the censer burning swung,
Where before the altar hung
That proud banner, which with prayer
Had been consecrated there.
And the nuns’ sweet hymn was heard the while,
Sung low in the dim mysterious aisle.
Proudly o’er the good and brave,
When the battle’s distant wail
Breaks the sabbath of our vale,—
When the clarion’s music thrills
To the hearts of these lone hills,—
When the spear in conflict shakes,
And the strong lance shivering breaks.
The war-cloud’s encircling wreath,
Guard it—till our homes are free—
Guard it—God will prosper thee!
In the dark and trying hour,
In the breaking forth of power,
In the rush of steeds and men,
His right hand will shield thee then.
Closes round the ghastly fight,
If the vanquish’d warrior bow,
Spare him!—by our holy vow,
By our prayers and many tears,
By the mercy that endears,
Spare him—he our love hath shared—
Spare him—as thou wouldst be spared!
Thou shouldst press the soldier’s bier,
And the muffled drum should beat
To the tread of mournful feet,
Then this crimson flag shall be
Martial cloak and shroud for thee!
And it was his martial cloak and shroud.