Through All the Long Dark Night of Years

Through all the long dark night of years

The peop­le’s cry as­cende­th

And earth is wet with blood and tears

But our meek suf­fer­ance end­eth.

We are driv­en back

for our next fray

A new­er strength to bor­row

And where the van­guard camps to­day

The rear shall rest to­mor­row.

Though hearts brood o’er the past

our eyes

With smiling futures glisten;

For lo

our day bursts up the skies —

Lean out your souls and listen!

The world is roll­ing free­dom’s way

And rip­en­ing with her sor­row.

Take heart! who bears the cross to­day

Shall wear the crown to­mor­row.

Build up he­ro­ic lives

and all

Be like a sheath­en saber

Ready to flash out at God’s call

O chiv­al­ry of la­bor!

Triumph and toil are twins

though they

Be sing­ly born in sor­row;

And ’tis the mar­tyr­dom to­day

Brings vic­to­ry to­mor­row.