Poetry Sunday

You may recall that this past Wednesday, April 10th, we noted the birthday of William Booth, the founder of The Salvation Army. Today, we present this poem by Vachel Lindsey that documents General Booth going to his reward ...

General William Booth Enters into Heaven

By Vachel Lindsay

[To be sung to the tune of The Blood of the Lamb with indicated instrument]

[BASS DRUM BEATEN LOUDLY]
Booth led boldly with his big bass drum— 
(Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?) 
The Saints smiled gravely and they said: “He’s come.” 
(Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?) 
Walking lepers followed, rank on rank, 
Lurching bravoes from the ditches dank, 
Drabs from the alleyways and drug fiends pale— 
Minds still passion-ridden, soul-powers frail:— 
Vermin-eaten saints with mouldy breath, 
Unwashed legions with the ways of Death— 
(Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?) 

[BANJOS]
Every slum had sent its half-a-score 
The round world over. (Booth had groaned for more.) 
Every banner that the wide world flies 
Bloomed with glory and transcendent dyes. 
Big-voiced lasses made their banjos bang, 
Tranced, fanatical they shrieked and sang:— 
“Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?” 
Hallelujah! It was queer to see 
Bull-necked convicts with that land make free. 
Loons with trumpets blowed a blare, blare, blare 
On, on upward thro’ the golden air! 
(Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?) 

[BASS DRUM SLOWER AND SOFTER]
Booth died blind and still by Faith he trod, 
Eyes still dazzled by the ways of God. 
Booth led boldly, and he looked the chief 
Eagle countenance in sharp relief, 
Beard a-flying, air of high command 
Unabated in that holy land. 

[SWEET FLUTE MUSIC]
Jesus came from out the court-house door, 
Stretched his hands above the passing poor. 
Booth saw not, but led his queer ones there 
Round and round the mighty court-house square. 
Yet in an instant all that blear review 
Marched on spotless, clad in raiment new. 
The lame were straightened, withered limbs uncurled 
And blind eyes opened on a new, sweet world. 

[BASS DRUM LOUDER]
Drabs and vixens in a flash made whole! 
Gone was the weasel-head, the snout, the jowl! 
Sages and sibyls now, and athletes clean, 
Rulers of empires, and of forests green! 

[GRAND CHORUS OF ALL INSTRUMENTS.
TAMBOURINES TO THE FOREGROUND]
The hosts were sandalled, and their wings were fire! 
(Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?) 
But their noise played havoc with the angel-choir. 
(Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?) 
O shout Salvation! It was good to see 
Kings and Princes by the Lamb set free. 
The banjos rattled and the tambourines 
Jing-jing-jingled in the hands of Queens. 

[REVERENTLY SUNG. NO INSTRUMENTS]
And when Booth halted by the curb for prayer 
He saw his Master thro’ the flag-filled air. 
Christ came gently with a robe and crown 
For Booth the soldier, while the throng knelt down. 
He saw King Jesus. They were face to face, 
And he knelt a-weeping in that holy place. 
Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?

Somehow, I don't think I'll be hearing instrumental accompaniments like those when I shuffle off my mortal coil.

Have a good day and enjoy the rest of your weekend. More thoughts coming.

Bilbo