THE SOUTHERN MOTHER'S CHARGE
by Anonymous


The Southern Mother's charge to her Son on his departure 
to Virginia to defend his country's rights and honor.

You go, my son, to the battle-field 
To repel the invading foe; 
'Mid its fiercest conflicts never yield 
Till death shall lay you low. 

Our God, who smiles upon the Right, 
And frowns upon the Wrong, 
Will nerve you for our holy fight, 
And make your courage strong. 

Our cause is just. For it we pray 
At morning, noon and night; 
Upon our banners we inscribe 
God, Liberty and Right. 

I love you as my life, 
My dear beloved son; 
Your country calls--go forth and fight 
Till Freedom's cause is won. 

It may be that you fall in death, 
Contending for your home, 
Yet your aged mother will not be 
Forsaken, though alone. 

A thousand generous hearts there are 
Throughout this sunny land, 
Whose ample fortunes will be spent 
With an unsparing hand. 

Now go, my son; a mother's prayers 
Will ever follow thee; 
And in the thickest of the fight 
Strike home for liberty. 

On every hill, in every glen, 
We'll fight till we are free-- 
We'll fight till every limpid brook 
Runs crimson to the sea. 

No truce we know, till every foe 
Shall leave our hallowed sod, 
And we regain that Heaven born boon-- 
"Freedom to worship God." 

The Home Front

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Last modified 16-April-2001