PATRIOTIC SONG
PATRIOTIC SONG
A Book of English Verse
BEING AN ANTHOLOGY OF THE PATRIOTIC POETRY OF THE
BRITISH EMPIRE, FROM THE DEFEAT OF THE SPANISH
ARMADA TILL THE DEATH OF QUEEN VICTORIA
SELECTED AND ARRANGED BY
ARTHUR STANLEY
WITH AN INTRODUCTION BY
THE RIGHT REVEREND J. E. C. WELLDON
Lord Bishop of Calcutta; late Head-Master of Harrow School
TORONTO
WILLIAM BRIGGS
1901
THIS BOOK
IS
Sacred to the Memory
OF
THAT GLORIOUS COMPANY OF MEN
WOMEN AND CHILDREN
WHO HAVE GIVEN THEIR LIVES
FOR ENGLAND’S SAKE
This book is intended to be a representativecollection of the patriotic poetry of the BritishEmpire. I have taken a wide view of theterm “patriotic”—wide enough, indeed, to includethe Jacobite Songs of Scotland and theNational Songs of Ireland.
Many of my numbers breathe the spirit ofwar; for the national instinct is most deeplystirred in times of great national emotion.But I have aimed at making this volumesomething more than a book of war-songs,holding that a man may prove his patriotismas well at home in the pursuit of his dailybusiness as on the battlefield in the presenceof his country’s enemies. Love of country isthe root of the matter; and, after all, it isharder to live for one’s country than to diefor it.
I gratefully acknowledge the debt I oweto authors and owners of copyright poems.I am equally grateful to all who, whetherat home or in the Colonies, have given meencouragement, assistance, or advice. Myxobligations to Professor Dowden, Mr. W. E.Henley, and Mr. A. T. Quiller-Couch are verygreat.
My scheme, as originally conceived, providedfor the inclusion of a section representing thepatriotism of America; but, on reconsideration,I have decided not to go beyond the limits ofthe British Empire.
A. S.
The present collection of patriotic songs will,I think, accord with the imperial spirit of theday; for they are representative of the wholeBritish Empire.
It is needless to dwell upon the inspiringenergy of song. Since the age of Tyrtæus ithas everywhere been recognised as a powerfulincentive to valour. A nation can scarcely existwithout a national anthem. How characteristicare the anthems of the nations! It may almostbe said that the difference of the English andthe French nations is expressed by the contrastbetween God Save the King and the Marseillaise.What an influence songs have exercised uponthe life of nations! The debt of Scotland toBurns, the debt of Ireland to Moore, is greaterthan words can tell. Fletcher of Saltoun wasperhaps not wrong in his estimate of the songs,as compared with the laws, of a nation.
I am not responsible for the present collection;perhaps, if I had made it, I sh