Our Legend

The legend set upon our shield Brims with grand meaning: All in one, Hearts welded, souls together run At white heat on the battlefield! One shining way for all to take, One oath, one hope, one purpose grand, One flag for all in all the land, Upheld by all for Freedom's sake. One sign set in the central sky, Read of all men alike, a name Written in empyrean flame By the bold hand of Destiny! That legend naught could dim or mar; Though bathed in tears and hid in smoke, Forth from the focal storm it broke, A bow above the cloud of war. We read it pensively and knew Some element of precious gain Had come to it from wounds and pain, And mightily its meaning grew. And so we keep upon our shield The deathless legend: All in one, Hearts welded, souls together run At white heat on the battlefield. A myriad songs, together thrown Across old gulfs of hate, are blent Like starlight in the firmament, And round the world in triumph blown. Our starry unity of stars Gives man a manly masterhood, Our law of love engrossed in blood Is sealed with burning bullet scars!