Macdonough's Song |
||
| By Rudyard Kipling | ||
| Whether the State can loose and
bind In Heaven as well as on Earth If it be wiser to kill mankind Before or after the birth-- These are matters of high concern Where State-kept schoolmen are; But Holy State (we have lived to learn) Endeth in Holy War Whether The People be led by The Lord Or lured by the loudest throat If it be quicker to die by the sword Or cheaper to die by the vote-- These are things we have dealt with once, (And they will not rise from their grave) For Holy People, however it runs, Endeth in wholly Slave. Whatsoever for any cause Seeketh to take or give Power above or beyond the Laws Suffer it not to live! Holy State or Holy King Or Holy People's Will Have no truck with the senseless thing. Order the guns and Kill! Saying--after--me:-- Once there was the People--Terror gave it birth; Once there was the People and it made a Hell of Earth Earth arose and crushed it. Listen, O ye slain! Once there was The People--it shall never be again! |