National Lyrics, and Songs for Music/Ancient Battle Song

For other versions of this work, see Old Spanish Battle Song.


SONGS OF SPAIN*[1]




No. I.

ANCIENT BATTLE SONG.




Fling forth the proud banner of Leon again!
Let the high word "Castile" go resounding thro' Spain!
And thou, free Asturias, encamp'd on the height,
Pour down thy dark sons to the vintage of fight!
Wake, wake! the old soil where thy children repose,
Sounds hollow and deep to the trampling of foes.


The voices are mighty that swell from the past,
With Arragon's cry on the shrill mountain-blast;
The ancient Sierras give strength to our tread,
Their pines murmur song where bright blood hath been shed.
—Fling forth the proud banner of Leon again,
And shout ye "Castile! to the rescue for Spain!"

  1. * Written for a set of airs, entitled "Peninsular Melodies," selected by Colonel Hodges, and published by Messrs. Goulding and D'Almaine, who have permitted the reappearance of the words in this volume.