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Show THE WAR SONGS OF THE NATIONS. Of all the songs of war. the Mas-scillaise, Mas-scillaise, in music and words, is most Inspiring The FYencb air has the music of defiance and the words of Bclf-sacrifico. Furthermore, to the French the song appeals because it had had its baptism of blood and its history is that of modern France. Today, in the trenches the British troops are singing "The Girl from ripperary," which has not much more merit than our Spanish-American. There'll Be a Hot Time," but it jleases and helps to keep up the spir ta of Tommy Atkins, and so answers t? nnrnonea The German soldiers everywhere In i heir tramp through Belgium were singing "The Watch on the Rhine." When 130,000 of the Kaiser's fighting force swung through Brussels, every company was singing this song, the words of which follow: A voice resounds like thunder peal, 'Mid dashing waves and clang of 6teel "The Rhine, the Rhine, the German Rhinel Who guards today my stream dhinc?" CHORUS Dear fatherland, no danger thine: Firm stand thy sons to watch the Rhine! They stand, a hundred thousand strong, Quick to avenge their country': wrong, With filial love their bosoms swell, They'll guard the sacred landmark well! The dead of a heroic race From heaven look down and meet their gaze, They swear with dauntless heart, "O Rhine. Be German as thiB breast of mine!" While flows one drop of German blood, Or sword remains to guard thy flood, While rifle rests in patriot hand No foe shall tread thy sacred strand! Our oath resounds, the river flows, In golden light our banner glows; Our hearts will guard thy stream divine di-vine Tho Rhine, the Rhine, the German Rhine! "The Watch on the Rhine" was the war song of 1870. The poem was written in 1840. But the song of them all is the Marseillaise, as follows: Ye sons of Freedom, wake to glory! Hark! hark! What mvrlads bid you rise! Your children, wives, and grandslres hoary, Behold thoir tears and hear their cries! Shall hatred tyrants, mischiefs breeding, breed-ing, With hireling hosts, a ruffian band, Affright and desolate the land, While peace and liberty lie bleeding? To arms! to arms! ye brave The avenging sword unsheathe; March on' March on! All hearts resolved re-solved On victory or death! Now, now the dangerous storm is rolling, Which treacherous kings confederate confeder-ate raised, The dogs of war, let loose, are howling, howl-ing, And lo! our fields and cities blase; And shall we basely view the ruin, Wlille lawless force, with guilty stride, Spreads desolation far and wide. With crimes and blood hie hands imbruing? im-bruing? To arms! to arms! ye brave The avenging eword unsheathe; March on! March on, all hearts re- solved Pa yfctory or, death. O Liberty! Can man resign thee, Once baying felt that generous flame' Can dungeons, bolts, or bars confine th.-.e? Or whips thy noble spirit tame? Too lonp the world has wept, bewailing bewail-ing That falsehood k dagger tvrant wield. But freedom is our sword and shield, And all thoir arts are unavailing. To arms! to arms! ye brave' The avenging sword unsheathe; March on! March on! All hearts resolved re-solved On victory or death! |