Classic Poem

Bid the din of battle cease!
Folded be the wings of fire!
Let your courage conquer peace —
Every gentle heart's desire.

Let the crimson flood retreat!
Blended in the arc of love.
Let the flags of nations meet;
Bind the raven, loose the dove;

At the altar that we raise
King and Kaiser may bow down;
Warrior-Knights above their bays
Wear the sacred olive crown.

Blinding passion is subdued,
Men discern their common birth,
God hath made of kindred blood
All the peoples of the earth.

High and holy are the gifts
He has lavished on the race —
Hope that quickens, prayer that lifts,
Honor's meed, and beauty's grace.

As in Heaven's bright face we look
Let our kindling souls expand;
Let us pledge, on nature's book,
Heart to heart and hand to hand.

For the glory that we saw
In the battle-flag unfurled,
Let us read Christ's better law;
Fellowship for all the world!

Bid the din of battle cease!
— Folded be the wings of fire!
Let your courage conquer peace —
— Every gentle heart's desire.

Let the crimson flood retreat!
— Blended in the arc of love.
Let the flags of nations meet;
— Bind the raven, loose the dove;

At the altar that we raise
— King and Kaiser may bow down;
Warrior-Knights above their bays
— Wear the sacred olive crown.

Blinding passion is subdued,
— Men discern their common birth,
God hath made of kindred blood
— All the peoples of the earth.

High and holy are the gifts
— He has lavished on the race —
Hope that quickens, prayer that lifts,
— Honor's meed, and beauty's grace.

As in Heaven's bright face we look
— Let our kindling souls expand;
Let us pledge, on nature's book,
— Heart to heart and hand to hand.

For the glory that we saw
— In the battle-flag unfurled,
Let us read Christ's better law;
— Fellowship for all the world!