POMP AND CIRCUMSTANCE

By Odell Shepard

With a shout of trumpets and roll of drums,

Down the road the music comes

And all my heart leaps up to greet

The steady tread of the marching feet.

Blare of bugle and shriek of fife...

This is the triumphing wine of life!

My senses reel and my glad heart sings,

My spirit soars on jubilant wings.

Fluttering banners and gonfalons

Cover with beauty the murderous guns;

‘ T is sweet to live,‘ t were great to die

With this vast music marching by.

For all my heart leaps up to greet

The steady tread of the marching feet

When down the road the music comes

With a shout of trumpets and roll of drums.