I've had so much fun on the Forum the past year, and have learned so much from all of you, that I'd like to pass this along as a little Christmas gift.
This time of year, my thoughts always turn back 200 plus years to December 1776, when the American Revolution seemed to be on it's last legs, and then on Christmas General George Washington and his men counterattacked at Trenton, New Jersey, won the victory the Americans HAD to have, and saved the Revolution. Saved us all when you think about it.
So, I'd like to pass on a poem written for the Bicentennial in 1976 by an Irishman named Sean McCarthy, a member of the "Wolf Tones" singing group. It's called....
A Dream of Liberty
One night as the wind whispered eerie tales, and the stars danced to and fro I dreamt of a land where our forefathers trod in those times of long ago. In Boston harbor I saw brave men, and I watched with a dutiful pride As they scattered the tea in a tax-laden sea with a dark and an angry tide. I wondered then as I watched those men who flouted King George's might Would Redcoat hordes with their glittering swords wreak vengeance in the night? Then a voice cried out in the starry air "Stand fast, young one! Be brave!" "For it's better to die 'neath an open sky than to live like a cowering slave!"
The early dawn of an April morn I stood on a mountain tall, And felt the shock of a musket shot that sounded out Freedom's call. My spirit soared as the thunder roared, and I prayed to the blazing sky To bless the hand of the gallant band who carried our banner high.
In the shifting scene of this wandering dream I rode fast to Bennington town. General Stark and his Green Mountain Boys were camped on the dewey ground. We spoke for a while, and I saw his sad smile, and he softly said to me "Their young blood will stain this Vermont plain before our land is free."
I remembered that smile as I rode each mile, in my heart a dreadful chill At the blood and the sweat and the smell of death rising high over Bunker Hill. And the men and the boys with their sightless eyes who lay dead before their time Breaking the chain of King George's reign at a place called the Brandywine.
Then clear upon the cold night air I heard a suffering cry, A ragged column of hungry men were slowly shuffling by. Across a Valley grim and bare I heard a bugle blow, The bloody beat of their torn feet staining the dead-white snow. In the shivering scene of this nightmare dream a Tall Man came to me. He looked gray and old in the crippling cold, but his eyes were bright and clear. And he said: "Listen well, and you must tell of the deeds these men have done, and coming days will sing their praise from dawn to the setting sun. Tell them of Saratoga, where patriots fought and died, Of Betsy Ross and Paul Revere who made his midnight ride. Of Cowpens and Kings Mountain, don't let them soon forget Patrick Henry's immortal words 'Give me liberty or death!" Remember Swamp Fox Marion, who lead his wily band, Or Allen, Greene and Sumpter, who made a noble stand. And remember too, the mothers true, who cried their tears alone Their names should be told with the brave and the bold wherever our flag is flown."
He left me then, but I saw him again standing tall near Yorktown Bay. I saw Cornwallis surrender his sword that bright October day. Then the Tall Man turned to me and said "Young One, our fight has JUST begun!" And in a flashing scene I awoke from my dream, and I cried in my silent room.
Well... On my way to school I felt like a fool as my childish tears did flow, For the things I'd seen were all in a dream, you see, they'd happened long ago. Then I turned my eye to a building high where our Flag was floating free, And I smiled to the sun, for those men who had won, This NATION, for you and me.
Merry Christmas, and God bless all of you! Sincerely, Firelock '76
"...I've had so much fun on the Forum the past year, and have learned so much from all of you, that I'd like to pass this along as a little Christmas gift.
So, I'd like to pass on a poem written for the Bicentennial in 1976 by an Irishman named Sean McCarthy, a member of the "Wolf Tones" singing group. It's called...."
"A Dream of Liberty"
Thanks for sharing that here!
Thanks for the kind comment, samfp1943!
Firelock76 .....Something different...! And great for right now. May the Lord bless.
Quentin
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