The Sword of Bunker Hill
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Lesley Nelson-Burns

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Lyrics
This song was written during the Civil War Era (1861) by William Ross Wallace (1819-1889). The music was written by Bernard Covert.

The song is also referred to in a John Poole/Stephen Foster song written in 1863, The Song of All Songs.

He lay upon his dying bed;
His eyes were growing dim,
When with a feeble voice he called
His weeping son to him:
Weep not, my boy! The vet'ran said,
I bow to Heav'ns high will,
But quickly from yon antlers bring
The Sword of Bunker Hill.
But quickly from yon antlers bring
The Sword of Bunker Hill.

The sword was brought, the soldier's eye
Lit with a sudden flame;
And as he grasped the ancient blade,
He murmured Warren's name;
Then said My boy, I leave you gold
But what is richer still,
I leave you, mark me, mark me now,
The Sword of Bunker Hill.
I leave you, mark me, mark me now,
The Sword of Bunker Hill.

Twas on that dread immortal day,
I dared the Briton's hand,
A captain raised this blade on me
I tore it from his hand;
And while the glorious battle raged,
It lighted freedom's will
For, boy, the God of freedom bless'd
The Sword of Bunker Hill.
For, boy, the God of freedom bless'd
The Sword of Bunker Hill.

O keep the sword, his accents broke
A smile and he was dead;
His wrinkled hand still grasped the blade
Upon that dying bed.
The son is gone; the sword remains,
It's glory growing still;
And eighty millions bless the sire,
The Sword of Bunker Hill.
And eighty millions bless the sire,
The Sword of Bunker Hill.

Related Links
From Songs of America and Homeland
See Bibliography for full information.