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Title: Koerner's Battle Prayer
Author: Eugene Field [
More Titles by Field]
FATHER, I cry to Thee!
Round me the billows of battle are pouring,
Round me the thunders of battle are roaring;
Father on high, hear Thou my cry,--
Father, oh, lead Thou me!
Father, oh, lead Thou me!
Lead me, o'er Death and its terrors victorious,--
See, I acknowledge Thy will as all-glorious;
Point Thou the way, lead where it may,--
God, I acknowledge Thee!
God, I acknowledge Thee!
As when the dead leaves of autumn whirl round me,
So, when the horrors of war would confound me,
Laugh I at fear, knowing Thee near,--
Father, oh, bless Thou me!
Father, oh, bless Thou me!
Living or dying, waking or sleeping,
Such as I am, I commit to Thy keeping:
Frail though I be, Lord, bless Thou me!
Father, I worship Thee!
Father, I worship Thee!
Not for the love of the riches that perish,
But for the freedom and justice we cherish,
Stand we or fall, blessing Thee, all--
God, I submit to Thee!
God, I submit to Thee!
Yea, though the terrors of Death pass before me,
Yea, with the darkness of Death stealing o'er me,
Lord, unto Thee bend I the knee,--
Father, I cry to Thee!
[The end]
Eugene Field's poem: Koerner's Battle Prayer
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