Lift up your eyes desponding freemen! <br />Fling to the winds your needless fears! <br />He who unfurl'd your beauteous banner, <br />Says it shall wave a thousand years! <br /> <br />"A thousand years!" my own Columbia! <br />'Tis the glad day so long foretold! <br />'Tis the glad morn whose early twilight <br />Washington saw in times of old. <br /> <br />What if the clouds, one little moment, <br />Hide the blue sky where morn appears -- <br />When the bright sun, that tints them crimson, <br />Rises to shine a thousand years? <br /> <br />Tell the great world those bless-ed tidings! <br />Yes, and be sure the bondman hears; <br />Tell the oppress'd of ev'ry nation, <br />Jubilee lasts a thousand years! <br /> <br />Fearless foes, beyond the ocean! <br />Little we heed your threat'ning sneers; <br />Little will they -- our children's children -- <br />When you are gone a thousand years. <br /> <br />Rebels at home! go hide your faces -- <br />Weep for your crimes with bitter tears; <br />_You_ could not bind the blessed daylight, <br />Though you should strive a thousand years. <br /> <br />Back to your dens, ye secret traitors! <br />Down to your own degraded spheres! <br />Ere the first blaze of dazzling sunshine <br />Shortens your lives a thousand years. <br /> <br />Haste thee along, this glorious Noonday! <br />Oh, for the eyes of ancient seers! <br />Oh, for the faith of Him who reckons <br />Each of his days a thousand years.<br /><br />Henry Clay Work<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/song-of-a-thousand-years/
