Classic Poem

Build the gunboat! Let her be
Georgia's symbol on the sea!
Georgia's daughter, fair and free,
Sword and shield of liberty.

Swift destruction at her keel;
Triumph in her battle-peal;
Heart of oak, and ribs of steel;
Honor helmsman at her wheel.

Build the gunboat! Georgia craves
Memorial for her fallen braves;
A monument for many graves—
Give the gunboat to the waves.

They shall rise and fight anew,
The dead among the living crew!
Let our gunboat breast the blue,
A fortress and a temple too!