COLUMBIA'S TOLL
(JUNE 5, 1917)
IN the wilderness where Sinai
Looked away o'er shifting sand
And the Red Sea spent its thunder
God gave Moses this command:
Looked away o'er shifting sand
And the Red Sea spent its thunder
God gave Moses this command:
"Number all the people for me,
List them by each tribal name—
All the men from twenty upward
For my warrior host I claim.
List them by each tribal name—
All the men from twenty upward
For my warrior host I claim.
"All the youngest and the strongest—
They are mine by my decree;
Set their standards where they gather—
They shall fight to make men free."
They are mine by my decree;
Set their standards where they gather—
They shall fight to make men free."
Thus in that far day was taken
That first count of men of war,
In the desert 'neath the shadow
Of the Mountain of the Law.
That first count of men of war,
In the desert 'neath the shadow
Of the Mountain of the Law.
******
Now, through eons comes the echo
Of that old Mosaic quest—
Voice of our loved country calling:
"Give me share of all your best—
Of that old Mosaic quest—
Voice of our loved country calling:
"Give me share of all your best—
"Count me out a Guard of Honor,
Young of heart and legions long,
Men who'll dare the heights of danger
Singing clear my Freedom song—
Young of heart and legions long,
Men who'll dare the heights of danger
Singing clear my Freedom song—
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