On parade!
the 54th,
the Massachussets 54th.
Upon beach
and grainy sands,
under shadows
of Fort Wagner's guns.
On parade!
the fighting men,
sons and brothers
of coloured ken.
Under arms
and colours Union,
fighting for rights
to die as men.
"Forward!
Fifty-Fourth",
unto the dunes
and forward hence.
By blood by smoke
and into legend,
the rights and dignity
of social sanctions.
"We are men!"
"equal and free,"
"whose blood does flow"
"as red as any."
"With rights to die"
"and fight as men,"
"in this our nation"
"our blood as recompense."
On parade!
the 54th.
Upon beach
and grainy sands,
under shadows
of Fort Wagner's guns.
On parade!
the gallant men,
these fighting men,
of coloured ken.
Free born fellows
educated gentlemen,
runaway slaves
whose backs are lined.
In victory
overlooked,
in defeat
twice rebuked.
But here
upon these sands,
their blood
emits a glorious shine.
As these gallant men
into death's jaws,
proving the courage
of brethren and ken.
Rest easy
Colonel Shaw,
the courageous dead
upon these shores.
For all glory
that have been forfend,
are now wreathed
upon deserving shoulders.
"Forward!
Firty Fourth,"
into the eve
of courage and glory.
Ever onward
evermore,
into the seeds of freedom
and equality.
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