James Ryder Randall

  • [1861]
    the Despot’s heel is on thy shore,
                    Maryland!
    His torch is at thy temple door,
                    Maryland!
    Avenge the patriotic gore
    That flecked the streets of Baltimore,
    And be the battle queen of yore,
        ...

  • The saviour, bowed beneath his cross, climbed up the dreary hill,
    And from the agonizing wreath ran many a crimson rill;
    The cruel Roman thrust him on with un-relenting hand,
    Till, staggering slowly mid the crowd, He fell upon the sand.

    A little bird that...

  • Just as the spring came laughing through the strife,
        With all its gorgeous cheer,
    In the bright April of historic life
        Fell the great cannoneer.

    The wondrous lulling of a hero’s breath
        His bleeding country weeps;
    Hushed, in the...

  • The despot’s heel is on thy shore,
            Maryland!
    His torch is at thy temple door,
            Maryland!
    Avenge the patriotic gore
    That flecked the streets of Baltimore,
    And be the battle-queen of yore,
            Maryland, my Maryland!

    ...