Upton Sinclair, ed. (1878–1968).
The Cry for Justice: An Anthology of the Literature of Social Protest. 1915. | | | | The People’s Anthem |
By Ebenezer Elliott |
(One of the leaders of the Chartist movement in England, 1781–1849; known as the “Poet of the People,” and by his enemies as the “Corn-law Rhymer”) |
| | | WHEN wilt thou save the people? | |
| O God of mercy! when? | |
| Not kings and lords, but nations! | |
| Not thrones and crowns, but men! | |
| Flowers of thy heart, O God, are they! | 5 |
| Let them not pass, like weeds, away! | |
| Their heritage a sunless day! | |
| God save the people! | |
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| Shall crime bring crime for ever, | |
| Strength aiding still the strong? | 10 |
| Is it thy will, O Father! | |
| That man shall toil for wrong? | |
| “No!” say thy mountains; “No!” thy skies; | |
| “Man’s clouded sun shall brightly rise, | |
| And songs be heard instead of sighs.” | 15 |
| God save the people! | |
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| When wilt thou save the people? | |
| O God of mercy! when? | |
| The people, Lord! the people! | |
| Not thrones and crowns, but men! | 20 |
| God save the people! thine they are; | |
| Thy children, as thy angels fair; | |
| Save them from bondage and despair! | |
| God save the people! | | | | |
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