FATHER, I call to thee. The roaring artillery's clouds thicken round me, The hiss and the glare of the loud bolts confound me. Ruler of battles, I call on thee: O Father, lead thou me! O Father, lead thou me; To victory, to death, dread Commander, O guide me; The dark valley brightens when thou art beside me; Lord, as thou wilt, so lead thou me. God, I acknowledge thee. God, I acknowledge thee; When the breeze through the dry leaves of autumn is moaning, When the thunder-storm of battle is groaning, Fount of mercy, in each I acknowledge thee. O Father, bless thou me! O Father, bless thou me; I trust in thy mercy, whate'er may befall me; 'Tis thy word that hath sent me; that word can recall me. Living or dying, O bless thou me! Father, I honor thee. Father, I honor thee; Not for earth's hoards or honors we here are contending; All that is holy our swords are defending; Then falling, and conquering, I honor thee. God, I repose in thee. God, I repose in thee; When the thunders of death my soul are greeting, When the gashed veins bleed, and the life is fleeting, In thee, my God, I repose in thee. Father, I call on thee. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...SONNET: 57 by WILLIAM SHAKESPEARE PENTUCKET [AUGUST 29, 1708] by JOHN GREENLEAF WHITTIER ANECDOTE FOR FATHERS by WILLIAM WORDSWORTH SONNET by KATHARINE REBECCA ADAMS THE LOST CHILD by ST. CLAIR ADAMS |