Where Glory dwells a hundred years, That spot becomes a shrine, The very soil she trod appears To bear the touch divine; The rusted gun, the shattered blade, Are kept with sacred hand, And Honor bows before the shade That fought to save the land. Then why neglect—why give to rot This victor of the flood? Is she less holy than the spot That drank a hero's blood? Has she no plume to wing a thought— No spark to fire a mind? In names like her's such deeds are wrought And they, whose mighty banner fell Before her lightning's blast, Their victor rides the harbor swell Unshorn of yard and mast; And Glory gilds her like a sun, When, steaming thro' the wave, With dipping flag and rapid gun, The brave salute the brave. Then give ours back, the sail, the spar— Go let her broadside roar! A gun for every glit'ring star Her conquering ensign bore. To show ye have not held in vain The heritage she kept, Oh, let her image grace again |