“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.