The Soldier's Poem

Antietam Creek

How is it now that we are borne

upon a wave of sacrifice
Whose lives were bound for greater things

yet now we pay the price
But whose firm shoulders turned to bear

the blows for those behind
Into our foe we press ourselves

as fate's grim judgment pares the rind
And how we think our selves above

things more eternal than we stand
and bear upon our enemy

with death or life in glov'd hand
Stand not! As what great wind may blow

Fore swear! We say we will advance!
Like waves of grain encumbering

the field for sure will be entranced
Against that wind we throw ourselves

for those we have behind
And fate's grim judgment pares the rind

Pray Justice pares the rind
"O beautiful for glory-tale
of liberating strife
when once and twice
for mans avail
Men lavished precious life!
America! America!
God shed his grace on thee
Till selfish gain no longer stain
The banner of the free!