A THOUSAND YEARS.
Reading edition
[Listen] [Notation]
Key of C.
SOLID SHOT. Lift up your eyes, desponding freemen! Fling to the winds your needless fears! He who unfurled your beauteous banner Says it shall wave a thousand years. Chorus. “A thousand years!” my own Columbia! ’Tis the glad day so long foretold! ’Tis the glad morn whose early twilight Washington saw in times of old.
What if the clouds one little moment Hid the blue sky where morn appears When the bright sun that tints them crimson Rises to shine a thousand years!—Chorus. Tell the great world these blessed tidings! Yes, and be sure the bondman hears; Tell the oppress’d of ev’ry nation Jubilee lasts a thousand years.—Chorus. Envious foes beyond the ocean! Little we heed your threat’ning sneers; Little will they—our children’s children When you are gone a thousand years.—Chorus. Rebels at home! go hide your faces— Weep for your crimes with bitter tears; You could not bind the blessed daylight, Though you should strive a thousand years.—Chorus.
Back to your dens, ye secret traitors! Down to your own degraded spheres! Ere the first blaze of dazzling sunshine Shortens your lives a thousand years.—Chorus. Haste thee along, thou glorious noonday! Oh! for the eyes of ancient seers! Oh! for the faith of Him who reckons Each of His days a thousand years.—Chorus. SHERIDAN’S CAVALRY CORPS.
