To John Brown + 

We lift a song to you across the day + 

Which bears through travailing the seed you spread + 

In terror’s morning, flung with fingers red + 

In blood of tyrants, who debarred the way + 

To Freedom’s dawning. Hearken to the lay + 

Chanted by dusky millions, soft and mellow-keyed, + 

In minor measure, Martyr of the Freed, + 

A song of memory across the day. + 

Truth cannot perish though the earth erase + 

The royal signals, leaving not a trace, + 

And time still burgeoneth the fertile seed, + 

Though he is crucified who wrought the deed: + 

O Alleghanies, fold him to your breast + 

Until the judgment! Sentinel his rest! + 