Poems of American Patriotism Chosen by Brander Matthews published by Charles Scribner’s Sons 1899

The book, Poems of American Patriotism, is from the Renville County Historical Society’s collection. The book is from Renville County District # 117 which was located in Kingman Township in Section 18.

Excerpt from pages 19-20, This poem was written to be sung at the completion of the Concord Monument, April 19, 1836 (date written in the book, July 4, 1837 is when it happened).

HYMN by Ralph Waldo Emerson

By the rude bridge that arched the flood,
     Their flag to April’s breeze unfurled,

Here once the embattled farmers stood,
      And fired the shot heard round the world.

The foe long since in silence slept;
     Alike the conqueror silent sleeps;

And Time the ruined bridge has slept;
     Down the dark stream which seaward creeps

On this green bank, by this soft stream,
     We set to-day a votive stone,

That memory may their deed redeem,
     When, like our sires, our sons are gone.

Spirit, that made those heroes dare
     To die, or leave their children free,

Bid Time and Nature gently spare
     The shaft we raise to them and thee.