O, Little David, play on your harp, <br />That ivory harp with the golden strings <br />And sing as you did in Jewry Land, <br />Of the Prince of Peace and the God of Love <br />And the coming Christ Immanuel. <br />O, Little David, play on your harp. <br /> <br />A seething world is gone stark mad; <br />And is drunk with the blood, <br />Gorged with the flesh, <br />Blinded with the ashes <br />Of her millions of dead. <br />From out it all and over all <br />There stands, years old and fully grown, <br />A monster in the guise of man. <br />He is of war and not of war; <br />Born in peace, <br />Nurtured in arrogant pride and greed, <br />World-creature is he and native to no land. <br />And war itself is merciful <br />When measured by his deeds. <br />Beneath the Crescent <br />Lie a people maimed; <br />Their only sin-- <br />That they worship God. <br />On Russia's steppes <br />Is a race in tears; <br />Their one offense-- <br />That they would be themselves. <br />On Flander's plains <br />Is a nation raped; <br />A bleeding gift <br />Of "Kultur's" conquering creed. <br />And in every land <br />Are black folk scourged; <br />Their only crime-- <br />That they dare be men. <br /> <br />O, Little David, play on your harp, <br />That ivory harp with the golden strings <br />And psalm anew your songs of Peace, <br />Of the soothing calm of a Brotherly Love, <br />And the saving grace of a Mighty God. <br />O, Little David, play on your harp.<br /><br />Joseph Seamon Cotter<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/o-little-david-play-on-your-harp/
