GoSetaPhire

 APRIL IS NATIONAL POETRY MONTH!

Today, the spotlight shines on a poem published in 1848, written by Robert Nicol.

THE BURSTING OF THE CHAIN

An Anthem For The Third Centenary Of The Reformation

An offering to the shrine of power

Our hands shall never bring--

A garland on the ear of Pomp

Our hands should never fling--

Applauding in the conqueror’s path,

Our voice ne'er shall be;

But we have hearts to honor those

Who bade the world go free!

Stern Ignorance man's soul had bound,

In fetters, rusted o'er

With tears--with scalding human tears,

And red with human gore;

But men arose--the men to whom

We bead the freeman's knee,

Who, God-encouraged-burst the chain,

And made our fathers free!

Light dwelt where darkness crst had been,

The morn of Mind arose--

The dawning of that day of Love

Which never more shall close:

Joy grew more joyful, and more green

The valley and the lea;

The glorious sun from Heaven looked down,

And smiled upon the free!

Truth came and made its home below;

And Universal Love,

And Brotherhood, and Peace, and Joy,

Are following from above;

And happy ages on the earth

Humanity shall see;

And happy lips shall bless their name,

Who made our children free!

Praise to God-the Pure-the Great,

Who made us what we are!

Who lit the flame which yet shall glow

With radiance brighter far:

Glory to them in coming time,

And through eternity!

They burst the captive's galling chain,

And bade the world go free!