The sixties brought a clash of arms— <br />The mem'ry of it thrills and charms— <br />While Negro slaves for freedom prayed, <br />Till Heaven bowed to give them aid. <br /> <br />The God of nations—God of right— <br />Kept back success within the fight, <br />Till Lincoln vowed on bended knee, <br />To set the Negro bondsmen free. <br /> <br />The first of January, see! <br />In eighteen hundred sixty three, <br />The first Emancipation Day, <br />When mad oppressors lost their sway, <br />The sun of freedom rose that day, <br />The night of bondage drove away, <br />When sainted Lincoln did decree, <br />That slaves forever should be free. <br /> <br />As years of time have come and gone, <br />For each the Negro race has borne, <br />Abundant fruit in freedom's name, <br />That will not bring the nation shame. <br /> <br />Emancipation Day, so great! <br />With joy we meet to celebrate, <br />The Sun of Righteousness we hail, <br />Who died that freedom might prevail.<br /><br />Lizelia Augusta Jenkins Moorer<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/emancipation-day/
