Dirge to Our Martyred Dead (Bouck White)

“Dirge to Our Martyred Dead” Sheet Music (pdf).
“Dirge to Our Martyred Dead” Karaoke (midi with lyrics).

Lyrics: Bouck White.
Tune: Bouck White.


In the presence of our dead,
Stand we now with bleeding hearts.
Low we kneel and bow the head,
And a cry unbidden starts.

Many are the comrades brave
In the brotherhood of toil
Filling now a martyr’s grave,
Added to the foeman’s spoil.

Ne’er they shrank from duty’s call;
Ne’er were deaf to human need.
Bribes nor terrors could enthrall.
Warriors they of stalwart breed.

Heroes of humanity,
Green above you be the grass.
Ours the sore calamity:
Desolate the working class.

Bitter is the price you paid:
Labor’s sad Gethsemane!
Blood-sweat ’neath the olive’s shade;
Crown of Thorns and Calvary.

They who die for God and man
Never shed their blood in vain.
Readers of High Heaven’s plan,
Dying they shall live again.


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