After all,
One country, brethren! We must rise or fall
With the Supreme Republic. We must be
The makers of her immortality,—
Her freedom, fame,
Her glory or her shame:
Liegemen to God and fathers of the free!
After all—
Hark! from the heights the clear, strong, clarion call
And the command imperious: “Stand forth,
Sons of the South and brothers of the North!
Stand forth and be
As one on soil and sea—
Your country’s honor more than empire’s worth!”
After all,
’T is Freedom wears the loveliest coronal;
Her brow is to the morning; in the sod
She breathes the breath of patriots; every clod
Answers her call
And rises like a wall
Against the foes of liberty and God!