Songs and Ballads of the Southern People Part 6

Wouldst thou have me love thee, dearest, With a woman's proudest heart, Which shall ever hold thee nearest, Shrined in its inmost heart?

Listen, then! My country's calling On her sons to meet the foe!

Leave these groves of rose and myrtle, Drop the dreamy hand of love!

Like young Korner, scorn the turtle When the eagle screams above!

Dost thou pause? Let dotards dally-- Do thou for thy country fight!

'Neath her n.o.ble emblem rally-- "G.o.d! our country, and her right!"

Listen! now her trumpet's calling On her sons to meet the foe!

Woman's heart is soft and tender, But 'tis proud and faithful, too; Shall she be her land's defender?

Lover! soldier? up and do!

Seize thy father's ancient falchion, Which once flashed as freedom's star!

Till sweet peace--the bow and halcyon, Still'd the stormy strife of war!

Listen! now thy country's calling On her sons to meet the foe!

Sweet is love in moonlight bowers!

Sweet the altar and the flame!

Sweet is spring-time with her flowers!

Sweeter far the patriot's name!

Should the G.o.d who rules above thee Doom thee to a soldier's grave, Hearts will break, but fame will love thee Canonized among the brave!

Listen, then, thy country's calling On her sons to meet the foe!

Rather would I view thee lying On the last red field of life, 'Mid thy country's heroes dying, Than to be a dastard's wife.

SUMTER; A BALLAD OF 1861.

BY E. O. MURDEN.

'Twas on the twelfth of April, Before the break of day, We heard the guns of Moultrie Give signal for the fray.

Anon across the waters There boomed the answering gun, From North and South came flash on flash-- The battle had begun.

The mortars belched their deadly food, And spiteful whizzed the b.a.l.l.s, A fearful storm of iron hailed On Sumter's doomed walls.

We watched the meteor flight of sh.e.l.l, And saw the lightning flash; Saw where each fiery missile fell, And heard the sullen crash.

The morn was dark and cloudy, Yet, till the sun arose, No answer to our gallant boys Came booming from our foes.

Then through the dark and murky clouds The morning sunlight came, And forth from Sumter's frowning walls Burst sudden sheets of flame.

The shot and sh.e.l.l flew thick and fast, The war-dogs howling spoke, And thundering came their angry roar, Through wreathing clouds of smoke.

Again to fight for liberty, Our gallant sons had come, They smiled when came the bugle call, And laughed when tapped the drum.

From cotton- and from corn-field, From desk and forum too, From work-bench and from anvil, came Our gallant boys and true.

A hireling band had come to awe, Our chains to rivet fast; Yon lofty pile scowls on our homes, Seaward the hostile mast.

But gallant freemen man our guns-- No mercenary host, Who barter for their honor's price, And of their baseness boast.

Now came our stately matrons, And maidens too by scores; Oh! Carolina's beauty shone Like love-lights on her sh.o.r.es.

See yonder, anxious gazing, Alone a matron stands, The tear-drop glistening on each lid, And tightly clasped her hands.

For there, exposed to deadly fire, Her husband and her son-- "Father," she spake, and heavenward looked, "Father, thy will be done."

See yonder group of maidens, No joyous laughter now, For cares lie heavy on each heart And cloud each anxious brow:

For brothers dear, and lovers fond, Are there amid the strife; Tearful the sister's anxious gaze-- Pallid the promised wife.

Yet breathed no heart one thought of fear, Prompt at their country's call, They yielded forth their dearest hopes, And gave to honor all!

Now comes a message from below-- Oh quick the tidings tell-- "At Moultrie and Fort Johnson, too, And Morris, all are well!"

Then mark the joyous brightening; See how each bosom swells; That friends and loved ones all are safe, Each to the other tells.

All day the shot flew thick and fast, All night the cannon roared, While wreathed in smoke stern Sumter stood, And vengeful answer poured.

Again the sun rose, bright and clear, 'Twas on the thirteenth day, While, lo! at prudent distance moored Five hostile vessels lay.

With choicest abolition crews-- The bravest of _their_ brave-- They'd come to pull our Crescent down And dig Secession's grave.

See, see, how Sumter's banner trails, They're signaling for aid, See you no boats of armed men?

Is yet no movement made?

Now densest smoke and lurid flames Burst out o'er Sumter's walls; "The fort's on fire," 's the cry; Again for aid he calls.

See you no boats or vessels yet?

Dare they not risk _one_ shot, To make report grandiloquent Of aid they rendered not?

Nor boat nor vessel leaves the fleet-- "Let the old Major burn"-- We'll boast of that we would have done, If but--on our return.

Go back, go back ye cravens, Go back the way ye came; Ye gallant, _would be_, men-of-war, Go! to your country's shame.

'Mid fiery storm of shot and sh.e.l.l, 'Mid smoke and roaring flame, See how Kentucky's gallant son Does honor to her name!

See how he answers gun for gun-- Hurrah! his flag is down!

The white! the white! Oh see it wave!

Is echoed all around.

Now ring the bells a joyous peal, And rend with shouts the air, We've torn the hated banner down, And placed the Crescent there.

All honor to our gallant boys, Bring forth the roll of fame, And there in glowing lines inscribe Each patriot hero's name.

Spread, spread the tidings far and wide, Ye winds take up the cry: "Our soil's redeemed from hateful yoke, We'll keep it pure or die."