Author: Henry W. Longfellow Meter: 11.10.11.10 Appears in 20 hymnals First Line: Down the dark future, through long generations Lyrics: 1 Down the dark future, through long generations,
The sounds of war grow fainter and then cease;
And like a bell with solemn, sweet vibrations,
I hear once more the voice of Christ say, Peace!
2 Peace! and no longer, from its brazen portals,
The blast of war’s great organ shakes the skies!
But beautiful as songs of the immortals,
The holy melodies of love arise. Used With Tune: MARLBOROUGH Text Sources: Adapted from his anti war poem "The Arsenal at Springfiled," published in The Belfry of Bruges and Other Poems, 1845
Down the Dark Future