"Now Purpled Hangmen of the world–turn and beg for mercy!
"Look! How the light of your palaces on fire flashes up into the midnight sky! Now Kings–now purpled Hangmen of the world–for you come the days of axes and gibbets and scaffolds–for you the wrath of man–for you the lightnings of God!– At last the voice of human woe has pierced the ear of God, and called His Judgment down! You have waded on to thrones over seas of blood–you have trampled on to power over the necks of millions–you have turned the poor man's sweat and blood into robes for your delicate forms, into crowns for your anointed brows. You have trampled on mankind long enough. "Yes, that Parchment will speak to the Kings in a language sad and terrible as the trump of the Archangel. THE DAYS OF JUDGMENT AND REVOLUTION DRAW NEAR! THE DAYS OF YOUR PRIDE AND GLORY ARE NUMBERED! (We do not know his name, let us therefore call his appeal) Look how his white hand undulates as it is stretched slowly out, how that dark eye burns, while his words ring through the hall. "Gibbet!" echoes a fierce, bold voice, that startles men from their seats–and look yonder! A tall slender man rises, dressed–although it is summer time–in a dark robe. An old legend dramatizes the story of the one who galvanized the delegates and gave them the courage to sign that document.īut still there is doubt–and that pale-faced man, shrinking in one corner, squeaks out something about axes, scaffolds, and a–gibbet! No wonder they wavered! No wonder they discussed back and forth for days on end before signing the document that carried so grave a penalty. The head and quarters were at the disposal of the crown. The penalty for high treason was to be hanged by the neck until unconscious, then cut down and revived, then disemboweled and cut into quarters. He disappeared soon after.īy signing the Declaration, all were guilty of high treason under British law. An unknown man rose and gave an electrifying speech. An extraordinary catalyst was needed to move them to action. The signers of the Declaration of Independence sat in Independence Hall at Philadelphia, contemplating losing their heads or being hanged. Just scroll down to sign up, add your comment or view what others are saying about this hymn.From the Editor of Reverse Spins: The following is taken from Washington and His Generals: or, Legends of the Revolution by George Lippard, published in 1847.
Meanwhile, you might like to subscribe to my ezine or add your comment to this page. Martin Luther King at the conclusion of his speech, 'Vietnam: A Time to Break Silence' in April 4th, 1967 at a meeting of Clergy and Laity Concerned at Riverside Church in New York City, USA.Ĭlick here to go back to Great Christian Hymns Homepage Ezine and Your Comments Standeth God within the shadow, keeping watch above His own. Yet that scaffold sways the future, and behind the dim unknown, Though her portion be the scaffold, and upon the throne be wrong Though the cause of evil prosper, yet the truth alone is strong They must upward still and onward, who would keep abreast of truth. New occasions teach new duties, time makes ancient good uncouth, Toiling up new Calv’ries ever with the cross that turns not back Till the multitude make virtue of the faith they had denied.īy the light of burning martyrs, Christ, Thy bleeding feet we track, Then it is the brave man chooses while the coward stands aside, Then to side with truth is noble, when we share her wretched crust,Įre her cause bring fame and profit, and ’tis prosperous to be just Some great cause, some great decision, offering each the bloom or blight,Īnd the choice goes by forever, ’twixt that darkness and that light. In the strife of truth with falsehood, for the good or evil side Once to every man and nation, comes the moment to decide, To print 'Once To Every Man and Nation', just highlight the words of the hymn and copy and paste into your word editor. James Russell Lowell was a prominent poet and prolific author and has a large collection of quotes to his name. This poem was later put to music by Thomas J. He wrote these words as a protest in regard to America’s war with Mexico. Once To Every Man And Nation was a poem written by James Russell Lowell, son of a Congregational minister, in the Boston Courier in December 11th, 1845.
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