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Old Ironsides
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Page 1 of 2
SEACOAST POEMS
Sure you memorized it in school, but have you read it lately? Just 143 words,
this classic American poem begs to be read aloud. Here is the complete poem plus
the author’s notes. Additional notes include pictures of author Oliver Wendell
Holmes as a young and old poet.
READ: THE POEM THAT SAVED OLD IRONSIDES
SEE: Mr. Holmes as a young and old poet
OLD IRONSIDES
By Oliver Wendell Holmes
September 16, 1830
Ay, tear her tattered ensign down!
Long has it waved on high,
And many an eye has danced to see
That banner in the sky;
Beneath it rung the battle shout,
And burst the cannon's roar;
The meteor of the ocean air
Shall sweep the clouds no more.
Her deck, once red with heroes' blood,
Where knelt the vanquished foe,
When winds were hurrying o'er the flood,
And waves were white below,
No more shall feel the victor's tread,
Or know the conquered knee;
The harpies of the shore shall pluck
The eagle of the sea!
Oh, better that her shattered bulk
Should sink beneath the wave;
Her thunders shook the mighty deep,
And there should be her grave;
Nail to the mast her holy flag,
Set every threadbare sail,
And give her to the god of storms,
The lightning and the gale!
AUTHOR'S NOTE
By Oliver Wendell Holmes
This was the popular name by which the frigate Constitution was known. The poem
was first printed in the Boston Daily Advertiser, at the time when it was proposed
to break up the old ship as unfit for service. I subjoin the paragraph which led
to the writing of the poem. It is from the Advertiser of Tuesday, September 14,
1830:--
"Old Ironsides.--- It has been affirmed upon good authority that the Secretary
of the Navy has recommended to the Board of Navy Commissioners to dispose of the
frigate Constitution. Since it has been understood that such a step was in contemplation
we have heard but one opinion expressed, and that in decided disapprobation of
the measure. Such a national object of interest, so endeared to our national pride
as Old Ironsides is, should never by any act of our government cease to belong
to the Navy, so long as our country is to be found upon the map of nations. In
England it was lately determined by the Admiralty to cut the Victory, a one-hundred
gun ship (which it will be recollected bore the flag of Lord Nelson at the battle
of Trafalgar), down to a seventy-four, but so loud were the lamentations of the
people upon the proposed measure that the intention was abandoned. We confidently
anticipate that the Secretary of the Navy will in like manner consult the general
wish in regard to the Constitution, and either let her remain in ordinary or rebuild
her whenever the public service may require."--New York Journal of Commerce.
Top illustration by DB Comstock from 1906 history of Old Ironsides
CONTINUE to see Young and Old Holmes
<< Start < Prev 1 2 Next > End >>
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