Frederick Douglass, the Orator - Monroe County Library System

Central Library of Rochester and Monroe County · Historic Monographs Collection
LIFE OF FREDERICK DOUGLASS. 73
Honor him with shouts of gladness,
Bid the nation honor, too,
For in him the cause of justice
Finds a champion strong and true.
Champion of the rights of all men,
What their color, what their clime,
Does not matter—he is loyal,
Honor him, the Old Sublime !
Honor to him and praise Jehovah,
Who from bondage called him out,
To deliver from their thraldom
Christ's own people, true, devout.
Honor him, though seeing never,
Angels sent to break his chains,
Bidding him to flee his serfdom,
And command a living name.
Angels sent to guide his footsteps
And to clothe his tongue with speech,
Touch his heart with fire from heaven,
While he freedom bravely preach.
Honor him, God's chosen prophet,
Sent against his people vile,
Who for sordid gain in barter,
Did themselves with blood defile.
Blood of their own brothers bleeding,
Bleeding under chain and lash,
As they toiled and prayed and waited,
Freedom's coming, slavery's crash.
Honor him, the people's hero,
Praying God might make it plain
That the blow he struck for freedom
Was God's wrath unloosed again.