Emancipation

‘Tis a time for much rejoicing;
      Let each heart be lured away;
Let each tongue, its thanks be voicing
      For Emancipation Day. 
Day of victory, day of glory,
For thee, many a field was gory! 

Many a time in days now ended, 
      Hath our fathers’ courage failed, 
Patiently their tears they blended; 
      Ne’er they to their, Maker, railed, 
Well we know their groans, He numbered, 
When dominions fell, asundered.

As of old the Red Sea parted, 
      And oppressed passed safely through, 
Back from the North, the bold South, started, 
      And a fissure wide she drew;
Drew a cleft of Liberty, 
Through it, marched our people free. 

And, in memory, ever grateful, 
      Of the day they reached the shore, 
Meet we now, with hearts e’er faithful, 
      Joyous that the storm is o’er. 
Storm of Torture! May grim Past, 
Hurl thee down his torrents fast. 

Bring your harpers, bring your sages,
      Bid each one the story tell;
Waft it on to future ages, 
      Bid descendants learn it well. 
Kept it bright in minds now tender, 
Teach the young their thanks to render. 

Come with hearts all firm united, 
      In the union of a race; 
With your loyalty well plighted, 
      Look your brother in the face, 
Stand by him, forsake him never, 
God is with us now, forever.

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“Emancipation” originally appeared in Gleanings of Quiet Hours (1907).

Poems for Juneteenth

“Let a second 
    generation full of courage issue forth; let a people 
    loving freedom come to growth. ”

—“For My People” by Margaret Walker