The Minute Men

By Celia Thaxter

Illustrated by Hy. Sandham

Heroes on History's height!
Who leaped at the first alarm,
To meet their death or to win the fight,
From forge and workshop and farm;
Seizing the ready gun,
With hearts on fire, to stand
For wife and child against the foe,
For home and their own dear land,
Resolute, every one,
To strike the mighty blow!

Firm as the solid rock
On Concord's soft green sward
Their feet are planted to meet the shock,
Love, honor and peace to guard,
To strike for Liberty!
For the signal shot they wait,
Dauntless and stern and still,
To wrench from the hand of fate
With the strength of an iron will,
Freedom and Victory!