THE MARSEILLAISE. BY ROUGET DE L'ISLE. [1760-1836.] YE sons of Freedom, wake to glory! While peace and liberty lie bleeding? The avenging sword unsheath: March on march on! all hearts resolved On victory or death. Now, now, the dangerous storm is rolling, The dogs of war, let loose, are howling, While lawless force, with guilty stride, With crimes and blood his hands imbruing? To arms to arms! ye brave, The avenging sword unsheath: March on march on all hearts resolved On victory or death. With luxury and pride surrounded, The vile, insatiate despots dare (Their thirst of power and gold unbounded) The avenging sword unsheath: March on march on ! all hearts resolved On victory or death. O Liberty! can man resign thee, To arms! to arms! ye brave, The avenging sword unsheath: March on march on! all hearts resolved On victory or death. THE DEPARTURE FOR SYRIA (1809). BY M. DE LABORDE. [1773-1842.] [The music of this song, which was composed by Queen Hortense, mother of Napoleon III., became the national air of the French Empire.] To Syria young Dunois will go, "O Thou who reign'st in heaven above," The fairest maiden let me love, The bravest warrior be." He pledges then his knightly word, To keep his oath he ever strove, And sang aloud with glee, "The fairest maid shall have my love, And honor mine shall be." Then said the count, "To thee we owe Our victory, I confess; Glory on me thou didst bestow, I give thee happiness: My daughter, whom I fondly love, She, who is fair all maids above, They kneel at Mary's altar both,— And there with happy hearts their troth It was a sight all souls to move; And all cried joyously, "Give honor to the brave, and love Shall beauty's guerdon be." GOD SAVE THE KING. BY HENRY CAREY. [1696-1743.] GOD save our gracious king, God save the king. O Lord our God, arise, And make them fall; God save us all. The choicest gifts in store, May he defend our laws, And ever give us cause To sing with heart and voice, God save the king. |