THE PEACEFUL WARRIORS

Let others sing their songs of war

And chant their hymns of splendid death,

Let others praise the soldiers’ ways

And hail the cannon's flaming breath.

Let others sing of Glory's fields

Where blood for Victory is paid,

I choose to sing some simple thing

To those who wield not gun or blade —

The peaceful warriors of trade.

Let others choose the deeds of war

For symbols of our nation's skill,

The blood-red coat, the rattling throat,

The regiment that charged the hill,

The boy who died to serve the flag,

Who heard the order and obeyed,

But leave to me the gallantry

Of those who labor unafraid —

The peaceful warriors of trade.

Aye, let me sing the splendid deeds

Of those who toil to serve mankind,

The men who break old ways and make

New paths for those who come behind.

And face their problems, unafraid,

Who think and plan to lift for man

The burden that on him is laid —

The splendid warriors of trade.

I sing of battles with disease

And victories o'er death and pain,

Of ships that fly the summer sky,

And glorious deeds of strength and brain.

The call for help that rings through space

By which a vessel's course is stayed,

Thrills me far more than fields of gore,

Or heroes decked in golden braid —

I sing the warriors of trade.