Ode to James G. Birney
Words by Elizur Wright. Music by G.W.C.
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We hail thee, Birney, just and true,
The calm and fearless, staunch and tried,
The bravest of the valiant few,
Our country’s hope, our country’s pride!
In Freedom’s battle take the van;
We hail thee as an honest man.
Thy country, in her darkest hour,
When heroes bend at Mammon’s shrine,
And virtue sells herself to Power,
Lights up in smiles at deeds like thine!
Then welcome to the battle’s van—
We hail thee as an honest man!
Thy own example leads the way
From Egypt’s gloom to Canaan’s light;
Thy justice is the breaking day
Of Slavery’s long and guilty night;
Then welcome to the battle’s van—
We hail thee as an honest man.
Thine is the eagle eye to see,
And thine a human heart to feel;
A worthy leader of the free,
We’ll trust thee with a Nation’s weal;
We’ll trust thee in the battle’s van—
We hail thee as an honest man.
An honest man—an honest man—
God made thee on his noblest plan,
To do the right and brave the scorn;
To stand in Freedom’s “hope forlorn;”
Then welcome to the triumph’s van—
We hail thee as our chosen man!