Classic Poem

Uncle Joe comes home a singing,
Hail, Columby!
Glorious times de Lord is bringin' --
Now let me die.
Fling the chains into the ribber --
Lay de burden by;
Dar is one who will delibber --
Now let me die.

Ring de Bells in eb'ry steeple!
Raise the Flag on high!
De Lord has come to Sabe the people --
Now let me die.

Bressed days, I lib to see dem,
Hail Columby!
I hab drawn a breff of freedom --
Now let me die.
Ninety years I bore the burden,
Den he heard me cry;
Standin' on de banks ob Jordan --
Now let me die.

Dis is what the war was brought for,
Hail, Columby!
Dis is what our faders fought for --
Now let me die.
Dar's an end to all dis sorrow,
Comin' by and by;
Prayin' for dat bressed morrow --
Now let me die.

I hab seen de rebels beaten,
Hail Columby!
I Hab seen dar boots retreatin', --
Now let me die.
O! dis Union can't be broken,
Dar's no use to try;
No sech thing the Lord has spoken --
Now let me die.

I'll go home a singing "Glory!"
Hail Columby!
Since I heard dis bressed story --
Now let me die.
'Tis de ransom ob de nation,
Drawing' now so nigh;
'Tis de day ob full salbation, --
Now let me die.