July Fourth by Freeman Edwin Miller


4th of July, July 4th, Independence Day

July Fourth
By Freeman Edwin Miller

        Hail, glorious morning of Columbia's birth,
            Celestial dawn of freedom! There shall be
        In recognition of thy wondrous worth
            By mighty millions this side of the sea,
            Triumphant crowns of laurel wreathed for thee!
        Welcome thy mammoth pageants, welcome all
            The choral songs and melodies of glee,
        The swelling shouts of praise that gladly fall
        From mighty multitudes in anthems national!

        High hangs the sacred banner, and the stars
            Dance in the sunshine, while the breezes play
        Around the glory of the hallowed bars
            Gleaming in white and crimson; music gay
            Floats from the patriot host and cheers array
        Great shouts around its foldings. Long in state,
            Flag of the brave and free, wave o'er this day
        To bring the world rejoicings which await
        The natal hours of might, the day we celebrate!

        How fears the tyrant in his capital,
            As myriad wires throb with the nation's tale!
        How despot trembles in his castled hall,
            When liberty's wild shouts of power prevail,
            And give their gladness unto every gale!
        Fetters and chains dissolve in holy trust,
            Scepters and swords in puny weakness fail,
        While crowns and thrones make monumental dust,
        And kingly Might is dead, Oppression downward thrust.

        Wide float thy wondrous pæans; loudly range
            Thy songs of holy rapture; and the roars
        Of deep-mouthed cannons echo wild and strange
            Through shouting cities; Patriotism pours
            Her full libations on the trembling shores,
        Till earth reels with her triumph; and the voice
            Of millions mad with merriment far soars
        From sea to ocean with entrancing noise,
        Till nations hear the cry and continents rejoice.

        Wave on, thou flag of freedom, and this day
            Still live in hearts of nations! O, thou Land,
        Where Man was first the monarch, where the sway
            Of birth exalted first was broken, stand
            To guard the helpless with a mighty hand,
        And give the weak protection; scout the ban
            Which tyrants utter, and with growing band
        Of noble freemen serve thy primal plan,
        And bind all nations in the Brotherhood of Man!


In celebration of Independence Day 
in the United States of America!

* This poem is found in public domain.

Comments