Hail the Day!
AIR:—“Wreathe the bowl.”
Hail the day
Whose joyful ray
Speaks of emancipation!
The day that broke
Oppression’s yoke—
The birth-day of a nation!
When England’s might
Put forth for right,
Achieved a fame more glorious
Than armies tried,
Or navies’ pride,
O’er land and sea victorious!
Soon may we gain
An equal name
In honor’s estimation!
And righteousness
Exalt and bless
Our glorious happy nation!
Brave hearts shall lend
Strong hands to rend
Foul slavery’s bonds asunder,
And liberty
Her jubilee
Proclaim, in tones of thunder!
We hail afar
Fair freedom’s star,
Her day-star brightly glancing;
We hear the tramp
From freedom’s camp,
Assembling and advancing!
No noisy drum
Nor murderous gun,
No deadly fiends contending;
But love and right
Their force unite,
In peaceful conflict blending.
Fair freedom’s host,
In joyful boast,
Unfolds her banner ample!
With Channing’s fame,
And Whittier’s name,
And Birney’s bright example!
Come join your hands
With freedom’s bands,
New England’s sons and daughters!
Speak your decree—
Man shall be free—
As mountains, winds and waters!
And haste the day
Whose coming ray
Speaks our emancipation!
Whose glorious light,
Enthroning right,
Shall bless and save the nation!
(From the Globe.)