Mark Twain’s, Battle Hymn of the Republic
Mark Twain
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Mine eyes have seen the orgy of the Launching of the Sword;
He is searching out the hoardings where the stranger’s wealth is stored;
He hath loosed his fateful lightnings, and with woe and death has scored
His lust is marching on.
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I have seen him in the watch-fires of a hundred circling camps;
They have builded him a altar in the Eastern dews and damps;
I have read his doomful mission by the dim and flaring lamps –
His night is marching on.
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I have read his bandit gospel writ in burnished rows of steel:
“As ye deal with my pretentions, so with you my wrath shall deal;
Let the faithless son of Freedom crush the patriot with his heel;
Lo, Greed is marching on!”
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We have legalized the strumpet and are guarding her retreat;
Greed is seeking out commercial souls before his judgement seat;
O, be swift, ye clods, to answer him! Be jubilant my feet!
Our god is marching on.
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In a sordid slime harmonious Greed was born in yonder ditch,
With a longing in his bosom – and for others’ goods an itch.
As Christ died to make men holy, let men die to make us rich –
Our god is marching on.
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Samuel Langhorne Clemens, Mark Twain, though born in Florida, Missouri, was very proud that both his parents were descendants of Virginians.
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