Laissez-Faire
We'd harbored them on hovels, and in dens,
Altho' in price they counted less than cattle,
Had they not still the right, that ws all men's,
To strive and in a place in life's stern battle?
Had they not still the gift of God's free air,
His glorious sun, and every freeman's birthright
To fight the snarling pack and snatch a share?
Why should the task be ours to set the earth right?
Man may not win (we'd said) to earthly ease
Saving thro' strength, or birth, or lucky gamble.
Why, then, a truce to sentimental pleas;
Let us continue with the merry scramble
In which the valiant strong, to gain high place
Pulls down and climbs upon some weaker rival.
'Tis Nature's law. And thus a stalwart race
Is e'er upheld by glorious survival.
Upon the olden road to Jericho
We watched, not one, but myriads fall and sicken.
We grieved; but saw no duty to stoop low.
Were we accountable for all Earth's stricken?
Shrewdly we passed by on the other side,
Planning such schemes as trouble a man's mind most.
'Not ours to alter Nature's law,' we cried.
'Each for himself, and devil take the hindmost.'
And so the devil took them - not for death;
But to live on where want and squalor cherish
Undreamed-of evils, whose miasmal breath
So taints the air that all the race may perish.
Is it too late to stay the avenging hand?
Too late to hold at bay this savage Reaper
Men have invoked? Till all shall understand
And cry at last, 'I am my brother's keeper!'
poem by Clarence Michael James Stanislaus Dennis
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Related quotes
In the Great Metropolis
Each for himself is still the rule
We learn it when we go to school
The devil take the hindmost, O!
And when the schoolboys grow to men,
In life they learn it o’er again
The devil take the hindmost, O!
For in the church, and at the bar,
On ’Change, at court, where’er they are,
The devil takes the hindmost, O!
Husband for husband, wife for wife,
Are careful that in married life
The devil takes the hindmost, O!
From youth to age, whate’er the game,
The unvarying practice is the same
The devil take the hindmost, O!
And after death, we do not know,
But scarce can doubt, where’er we go,
The devil takes the hindmost, O!
Ti rol de rol, ti rol de ro,
The devil take the hindmost, O!
poem by Arthur Hugh Clough
Submitted by Veronica Serbanoiu
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Death Came Knocking At My Door
Knocking at my door
Death came knocking at my door
HE SAID: my life would be no more.
He was coming to take me away
To a place where I would stay.
I would be there for all eternity
And that my soul was finally free.
It would be a happier place
Where I would see a friendly face.
I SAID: are you not the “ grim reaper’?
HE SAID: oh no! I was your guardian angel
Here on earth, and your guardian
Till you reach that final sleep.
And when you open your eyes again
You will be with family and friends.
I will help you to earn your wings
For in heaven, that’s the normal thing.
Not every death is with the reaper
A lot of this is so much deeper
You have been watched from your birth
And we know just what you’re worth.
You have helped so many in your life
With your thoughts and deeds
and with that you did exceed.
You will continue to help in death
as you did in life.
This is the final sacrifice
poem by Louis Rams
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Joshua Fit The Battle (take 1)
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
Jericho Jericho
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
And the walls come tumbling down
God knows that
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
Jericho Jericho
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
And the walls come tumbling down
Good morning sister Mary
Good morning brother John
Well I wanna stop and talk with you
Wanna tell you how I come along
I know you've heard about Joshua
He was the son of Nun
He never stopped his work until
Until the work was done
God knows that
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
Jericho Jericho
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
And the walls come tumbling down
You may talk about your men of Gideon
You may brag about your men of Saul
There's none like good old Joshua
At the battle of Jericho
Up to the walls of Jericho
He marched with spear in hand
Go blow them ram horns, Joshua cried
'Cause the battle is in my hands
God knows that
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
Jericho Jericho
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
And the walls come tumbling down
You may talk about your men of Gideon
You may brag about your king of Saul
There none like Joshua
At the battle of Jericho
They tell me, great God that Joshuas spear
Was well nigh twelve feet long
And upon his hip was a double edged sword
And his mouth was a gospel horn
Yet bold and brave he stood
Salvation in his hand
Go blow them ram horns Joshua cried
'Cause the devil can't do you no harm
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
Jericho Jericho
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
And the walls come tumbling down
Up to the walls of Jericho
He marched with spear in hand
Go blow them ram horns, Joshua cried
'Cause the battle is in my hands
Then the lamb ram sheep horns began to blow
The trumpets began to sound
Old Joshua shouted glory
And the walls came tumblin' down
God knows that
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
Jericho Jericho
Joshua fit the battle of Jericho
And the walls come tumbling down
Down, down, down, down, down
Tumblin' down
song performed by by Elvis Presley
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Joshua Fit The Battle
(arranged and adapted by elvis presley)
Joshua fit the battle of jericho
Jericho jericho
Joshua fit the battle of jericho
And the walls come tumbling down
God knows that
Joshua fit the battle of jericho
Jericho jericho
Joshua fit the battle of jericho
And the walls come tumbling down
Good morning sister mary
Good morning brother john
Well I wanna stop and talk with you
Wanna tell you how I come along
I know youve heard about joshua
He was the son of nun
He never stopped his work until
Until the work was done
God knows that
Joshua fit the battle of jericho
Jericho jericho
Joshua fit the battle of jericho
And the walls come tumbling down
You may talk about your men of gideon
You may brag about your men of saul
Theres none like good old joshua
At the battle of jericho
Up to the walls of jericho
He marched with spear in hand
Go blow them ram horns, joshua cried
cause the battle is in my hands
God knows that
Joshua fit the battle of jericho
Jericho jericho
Joshua fit the battle of jericho
And the walls come tumbling down
You may talk about your men of gideon
You may brag about your king of saul
There none like joshua
At the battle of jericho
They tell me, great God that joshuas spear
Was well nigh twelve feet long
And upon his hip was a double edged sword
And his mouth was a gospel horn
Yet bold and brave he stood
Salvation in his hand
Go blow them ram horns joshua cried
cause the devil cant do you no harm
Joshua fit the battle of jericho
Jericho jericho
Joshua fit the battle of jericho
And the walls come tumbling down
Up to the walls of jericho
He marched with spear in hand
Go blow them ram horns, joshua cried
cause the battle is in my hands
Then the lamb ram sheep horns began to blow
The trumpets began to sound
Old joshua shouted glory
And the walls came tumblin down
God knows that
Joshua fit the battle of jericho
Jericho jericho
Joshua fit the battle of jericho
And the walls come tumbling down
Down, down, down, down, down
Tumblin down
song performed by by Elvis Presley
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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Perishing But Renewed
Though by illness my life is rent, I am mindful it's only a tent,
I speak of this body of mine, my temporal body for this time,
Though my outward body perish, my life in God I can cherish,
As inward I'm renewed by God, for life above this earthly sod.
My body may fail on the earth, but, my life is in my New Birth,
Now a member of God's Family, I received promises eternally,
Knowing on earth we all may die, real life starts above the sky,
In a place, prepared by Christ, where we begin our Eternal Life.
Our bodies are temporal friend, for this earthly life has its end,
An end indeed we all will see, and then there will be an eternity,
The end won't be the same for all, as we are under Adam's fall,
And some at their last breath, will see not eternal life but death.
However, in Christ I have hope, when in times it's hard to cope,
As this present cancer impedes, my present life with its needs,
My Lord God is always there, helping with each need and care,
Helping me trust in Him not me, as He prepares me for eternity.
For me there's only eternal gain, but my life He too can sustain,
Extending my life, as a mortal man, if that is within God's Plan,
So He would allow my present life, to continue on with my wife,
That we may both depart together, to live with our Lord forever.
(Copyright ©09/2012)
A Rallying Song
Oh glorious race of mighty men,
The homeland calls to you;
Our fathers wrought with faith divine,
So let us march in line. (Refrain)
If foe we meet across the way,
Our courage hold on high,
For Victory is near at hand,
So march ye with the band.
Refrain: Oh glorious race, Etc
Old Africa is calling you,
So wave the banner high;
No foe shall win the glorious day,
Shout ye, and march and pray.
Refrain: Oh glorious race, Etc.
Our God is leading us away,
And land and seas divide,
For hosts are here in royal form,
March on and fear no storm.
Refrain: Oh glorious race, Etc.
New Africa beholds the sight,
The world will tremble then,
Good men of might will worship God
And bless the heaving sod.
Refrain: Oh glorious race, Etc.
Tell the people everywhere you go,
'The day is here again,'
The Ethiopian's God appears
To deal with all affairs.
poem by Marcus Mosiah Garvey
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Sonnet: Living Wisely On Earth
I may remain a fool on earth altho’,
’Tis deliberately done you ought to know;
I can’t just live the way others want me,
For theirs isn’t the way to Eternity!
For money’s sake I can’t change my nature;
For transient joys, can I vices nurture?
The art of earthly life is to be good,
And search for God without losing one’s mood!
What if I gain the world losing my soul?
‘Do good and shame the devil’- is my goal;
This world I see is not a perfect one;
The sins we commit can sometimes us stun!
If happiness I can get on this earth,
Where is the need to seek the other Mirth?
poem by John Celes
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Sonnet: Death Comes Like A Thief
Death claims much souls regardless of their age
Or sex, community or nation, state;
An act of God, man, Nature none can gauge,
That brings both high and low to the same fate.
The earthquake razes many to the ground,
Buried alive under tons of rubble;
Many will die; their bodies can’t be found;
The lucky few escape despite trouble.
How people fight over a piece of land!
Can they not live with love and amity?
What can they do ‘gainst Nature’s cruel hand?
Helpless is man in such calamity.
Man, listen thy earthly life shall perish;
Renew thy ties with God; be less selfish.
30-1-2001
poem by John Celes
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Death Is My Companion
(4/3/12)
Where do we go from here? When death is very near.
Is there another plateau we must climb
Before we reach the end of the line.
Death is just a resting place - a rest stop if you must!
You will not be afraid if in GOD you put your trust.
Death is my companion - he holds my hand
Death is my companion - he understands.
Known as the angel of death, the grim reaper
Of this temporary life he is the keeper.
In his clutches you'll be for a short spell
Till they decide if you're going to heaven or hell.
This is a rest stop where you take a break
Till they decide what is your fate.
So while I am on this plateau
There is no where that I will go.
Where do we go from here?
Your guess is as good as mine
As long as I'm not here until the ends of time.
This must be purgatory that I hear so much about
Maybe this is where we can turn our lives about.
Death! I know you're my companion
And we have walked hand in hand
But there is something I think you should understand
There are things on this earth that I must do
And until I finish them, my life on earth is not through.
I put my faith in GOD that he will show me the way
And from that road, I know I will not stray.
poem by Louis Rams
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An Anthem To Freedom
Were you there when Jesus bled
Before the cross, in sins were dead
By your hand in Christ were led
On to victory
Now's the day and now's the hour
Stand with Christ and stand in power
He's our Rock and strong High Tower
We're free from slavery
So will you come and fight the fight
March in the day and not the night
We will send them all to flight
This will be our day
Free men march and free men die
And all proclaim our God on high
His glory fills the earth and sky
Come Lord soon we pray
In glorious majesty He reigns
He's broken all our wretched chains
On Calvary He took our pains
And death has lost its sting
Now Jesus come and take your place
We lift our eyes, we see your face
Our enemies we now give chase
We serve our glorious King
No longer slaves and dead in sin
New life arises from within
We sing to you a glorious hymn
Of joy and victory
We have arisen from the dead
And follow you who died and bled
And rose victoriously and said
No more slavery
Come now my children, come and see
You once were chained but now are free
Free to live and reign with me
Its time to wield the sword
Its the final day, the final hour
Rain down thy presence, a glorious shower
Its not by might nor any power
But by My Spirit says the Lord
poem by Frank McEleny
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The Ballad Of Squeaky Fromme
Im scared as hell
Squeakys out of jail
I can feel her close behind me
Like the devil on my heels
Well they say shes heading to california
Or maybe for dc
Well Im sitting here down in georgia
Im talking with my family
The contras called a truce
And they broke it in an hour
Now someone sitting in the tower of babel
Is giving them that power
They stopped the war in bethlehem
Oh to let sweet jesus pass
But how much does it really mean
They screw him over behind his back
I can feel her closing in
And I hope she understands
That society and me
Now we arent necessarily hand in hand
Shes broken all her bonds
Got no superficial cause
She gave up all her chances
To live inside the law
So squeaky
Peace on earth
Will you tell me what its worth
From the inside out Id let you in
You might understand
Now squeaky
In your mixed-up mind
You may not be so blind
Ah squeaky give me peace on earth
And then you tell me what its worth
Now squeaky give me peace on earth
And then you tell me what its worth
From the inside out Id let you in
Cause you might understand
God is in my heart
But the devil is in our bones
And squeaky
Oh squeaky
You are not alone
Yeah you are not alone
Give me peace on earth
Give me peace on earth
Peace on earth
Peace on earth
Peace on earth
Peace on earth
Peace on earth
Peace on earth
Now squeaky give me peace on earth
And then you tell me what its worth
From the inside out I would, I would let you in
I think that you might understand
That god, God is in my heart
But the devil
I said the devil
The devils in our bones
And squeaky
Oh squeaky
We are not alone
song performed by by Indigo Girls
Submitted by Lucian Velea
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As a wanderer upon this earth (Terzanelle)
Far from the place of my birth
life has driven me
as a wanderer upon this earth
never truly to be free
to another shore
life has driven me
far from the one that I adore
to breath corrupted air
to another shore
where death waits prowling everywhere,
stalking like a wild animal snarling
to breath corrupted air,
far from my home and you my darling
seeking the answers to life
stalking like a wild animal snarling
I am now free from man and wife,
far from the place of my birth
seeking the answers to life,
as a wanderer upon this earth.
poem by Gert Strydom
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My Dark Face
Don't look at me with scorn
Because from the Black race I was born
But from deep within your heart do look at me and smile
And you'll see King Solomon and St. Peter by my side.
Don't look at my dark face and sigh
Because from life's ladder I do not slide
But please support me when I call
So that from life's ladder I do not fall.
Don't look at his dark face and inwardly cry
Because you know that I am filled with pride
To sail through life's rough tide
And gain the precious prize.
Don't look at my dark face and say
That at this place I should not stay
Remember that as I journey through life's race
I have the strength to regain the pace.
Now look at my dark face
And think about the Savior's base
For he was born within that stable
And like Him, when He lived on earth, I am always labeled.
No longer look at my dark face with scorn
But remember that through Christ we were all born
Then let us strive through Grace
To win the Heavenly race.
poem by Pansy Patterson
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Fighting The Devil
When we argue - I must concede
Because on this the devil feeds.
The devil gets his greatest sensation
When he disrupts any relation.
He is there waiting for the spark to ignite
So we can begin to fight.
He knows that love can conquer all
And waits for us to weaken so we can fall.
Like a lion waiting for its prey
In the bush he will lay.
The devil has many stomping grounds
And you never know when he's around.
His greatest victory is when we go astray
And to GOD we no longer pray.
Yet he can not tell what's in the heart of man
When we decide to take a stand.
Since We were blessed at our birth
With his holy water from this earth.
And we were taught right from wrong
And we became very strong
We will fight whatever the devil
throws our way, and live to fight another day.
So to the devil I say to you
With a pure heart there is
Nothing that you can do.
We have - FAITH, HOPE, AND LOVE
Given to us from up above.
poem by Louis Rams
Submitted by Poetry Lover
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Two, Yet Only One!
This earth is one and human race is one!
God made us live an earthly life just once;
Each species has female and male portions;
They fuse in flesh to bring offspring on earth.
God created from Adam’s rib, his Eve!
Our first parents were parts of one same whole;
God made the male and female differently;
But, both are equal in the eyes of His.
Each sex has duties special to its class;
Both sexes have some common properties;
Though morphologically different,
They were created from the same earth’s soil!
The breath of God that entered Adam’s lungs,
Is just the same that dwells in Eve, as well;
God showed that humanity is just one;
What human eyes perceive is deception.
Although some innate differences stay,
God made each sex with purposes varied;
Both tend to go towards eternity,
By doing roles God-given properly!
When marriage consummates in children, then,
‘The two, yet only one’ – proved beyond doubt;
The better half is weaker not always;
The stronger man is weaker in some ways!
The union of sexes gives bond-strength;
The children born strengthen this love further;
And this is how, the human race goes on;
And till the earth remains this must be so.
Copyright by Dr John Celes 5-21-2008
poem by John Celes
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Prioritized By Christ
All our needs and our heart’s desire, can be prompted by the liar,
That is Satan who very cunningly, taints the needs of you and me.
Suggesting to us what we need, sowing in hearts deceptive seed,
Being prince and power of the air, he wants hearts to reap despair.
All priorities we receive with love, from Christ our Savior up above,
Have been given to you and me, to focus our hearts upon Eternity.
But Satan will quickly interfere, denouncing all that God holds dear,
Turning our mind to things on earth, of which have no eternal worth.
The heavenly things we can’t see, shall be ours to enjoy for eternity,
While all the things many cherish, upon this earth shall soon perish.
This friend, includes the enemy, who has nothing to gain in eternity,
He schemes so we suffer loss, as he diverts hearts from the cross.
Our Salvation, Satan cannot spoil, but he fills us with needless toil,
Setting us up for a loss of reward, turning us from serving our Lord.
Moving us away from priority one; seeking the Kingdom of The Son,
And only as you follow this task, do you gain what will eternally last.
The rewards from the Son of God, for our life upon this earthly sod,
The life that has been prioritized, by He who reigns above the skies,
Who knows all about you friend, even when your earthly life will end,
So the best you can do in life, is to make your priority, Jesus Christ.
All Hail To The Purple Race
All hail to the purple race
That flutters from heaven
And the space beyond.
It is to bestow mercy
On us, on our kinsmen,
But it will descend
With tears and lament.
All hail to the purple race.
The scent of violets makes
Dizzy and drunk any lass,
And Love – the sacred feeling
Beautifies all
That is heavenly and thrilling…
All hail to the purple race.
“What nonsense! ”
May someone say.
That race annoys many,
Even the sages,
But is anyone told
About the ABC of the world?
All hail to the purple race
Favored buy the heavenly gift.
In our bodies that race will wait,
And take an earthly breath,
Then it will be
Altered and changed…
All hail to the purple race!
First of all, let’s be honest…
The life we strive for
Is the heavenly scent,
And the breath of the earth…
poem by Janri Gogeshvili
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Hon. James B. Clay
Another pang for Southern hearts,
That of late so oft have bled,
Another name to add to the roll
Of their mighty, patriot dead;
A vacant place ’mid that phalanx proud.
Of which each glorious name
Is dear to a mighty nation’s heart,
And dear to undying fame.
The God-given gift of genius his,
The patriot’s holy fire,
For he we mourn was a worthy son
Of a great and glorious sire:
Ah! whate’er the changes time may bring,
Shall never pass away
From the people’s mind, in North or South,
The deathless name of Clay.
Yet an exile in a foreign land,
His spirit passed from earth,
Far from the old dear scenes of home,
The loved land of his birth,—
The land he had well and truly served,
With heart, with sword, with pen,
Since first he had joined the march of life,
By the side of his fellow men.
No Southern breezes, soft and sweet,
Played around his dying bed,
No Southern flowers in glowing bloom,
Rich fragrance round him shed;
The wintry light of a Northern sky,
Earth robed in snowy vest,
Were the scenes that met his yearning gaze
As he passed into his rest
But near him gathered devoted hearts,
Wife, children, at his side,
Wept bitter tears while hushed they looked,
With fond, revering pride,
On him who had ever been to them,
Throughout his life’s career,
A model of all that honor high,
Or virtue holds most dear.
And other mourners leaves he too,
Who had learned to love him well.
Though short the time since he had come,
Within our midst to dwell:
Friends who will keep his name fore’er
’Mid those they we set apart,
To cherish deeply, and revere,
Within their inmost heart.
poem by Rosanna Eleanor Leprohon
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For God’s Glory
How to live for God’s Glory, begins for us at the Christmas story,
Where we witness a special birth, that changed men on the earth.
The story ends with Easter Truth, with resurrection as living proof,
That by The Son’s Revelation, all men face an eternal destination.
Christ’s birth was a Gift from God, to all men on this earth we trod,
The Gift of God’s great Salvation, to each and every single nation.
His death grants all men new life, through God’s Son Jesus Christ,
Through that Gift God did give, all men in Christ can eternally live.
New life starts here on the earth, through The Spirit and new birth,
As believers become born again, they become for Christ holy men.
Guiding us in His Righteous Light, to live a life that’s pure and right,
As it’s God’s Glory that we live for, to lead others to Christ our Lord.
Our earthly life begins one story, which for believers ends in Glory,
With Eternal Life, that has no end, in a place we can’t comprehend.
Following His death, we sacrifice, our former ways for Jesus Christ,
Living in The Spirit, we receive, from Christ Jesus when we believe.
We live for Christ, Who died for us, placing in The Lord, all our trust,
As He makes our life a testament, to our Savior, whom He had sent.
This earthly life’s a small price to pay, for what God did on that day,
So that we could live forevermore, up in Glory, with Christ our Lord.
(Copyright ©01/2007)
Psalm 148
Let the heavens cry out
Let the earth give a shout
Let all the Peoples of the earth not doubt
Our glorious King forever
Let the heavenly angels praise
To our King may every hand raise
May we worship Him all of our days
Our glorious King forever
Praise Him you sun so bright
Praise Him you moon through the night
All of His enemies take flight
From our glorious King forever
Praise Him you creatures of the sea
Praise Him that you swim so free
May our praises eternally be
Of our glorious King forever
Mountains and hills fall down
Stars in the sky make a glorious sound
All ye saints cast down your crowns
Before our glorious King forever
We will praise Him for His marvelous grace
We praise Him for His warm embrace
We praise Him in the holy place
Our glorious King forever
We exalt the King of Kings
Heavenly choirs of angels sings
Of the freedom that our Christ brings
Our glorious King forever
All our praise He does deserve
Let His glory cover all the earth
We shall bow down and worship and serve
Our glorious King forever
poem by Frank McEleny
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