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Hail, Columbia!

By Oliver Wendell Holmes

Topics: classic

1798 The First Verse Of The Song By Joseph Hopkinson     "Hail, Columbia! Happy land!     Hail, ye heroes, heaven-born band,     Who fought and bled in Freedom's cause,     Who fought and bled in Freedom's cause,     And when the storm of war was gone     Enjoy'd the peace your valor won.     Let independence be our boast,     Ever mindful what it cost;     Ever grateful for the prize,     Let its altar reach the skies.     "Firm - united - let us be,     Rallying round our Liberty;     As a band of brothers join'd,     Peace and safety we shall find." Additional Verses Written At The Request Of The Committee For The Constitutional Centennial Celebration At Philadelphia, 1887     Look our ransomed shores around,     Peace and safety we have found!     Welcome, friends who once were foes!     Welcome, friends who once were foes,     To all the conquering years have gained, -     A nation's rights, a race unchained!     Children of the day new-born,     Mindful of its glorious morn,     Let the pledge our fathers signed     Heart to heart forever bind!     While the stars of heaven shall burn,     While the ocean tides return,     Ever may the circling sun     Find the Many still are One!     Graven deep with edge of steel,     Crowned with Victory's crimson seal,     All the world their names shall read!     All the world their names shall read,     Enrolled with his, the Chief that led     The hosts whose blood for us was shed.     Pay our sires their children's debt,     Love and honor, nor forget     Only Union's golden key     Guards the Ark of Liberty!     While the stars of heaven shall burn,     While the ocean tides return,     Ever may the circling sun     Find the Many still are One!     Hail, Columbia! strong and free,     Throned in hearts from sea to sea     Thy march triumphant still pursue!     Thy march triumphant still pursue     With peaceful stride from zone to zone,     Till Freedom finds the world her own.     Blest in Union's holy ties,     Let our grateful song arise,     Every voice its tribute lend,     All in loving chorus blend!     While the stars in heaven shall burn,     While the ocean tides return,     Ever shall the circling sun     Find the Many still are One!

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Author:Oliver Wendell Holmes

"1798..." by Oliver Wendell Holmes

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Oliver Wendell Holmes

About Oliver Wendell Holmes

Oliver Wendell Holmes Sr. (1809–1894) was an American poet, physician, and essayist. His poems "Old Ironsides" and "The Chambered Nautilus" are American classics. He was part of the Fireside Poets group.

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