SAM DAVIS

TRIBUTE BY: ELLA WHEELER WILCOX

When the Lord calls up earth's heroes
To stand before his face,
O, many a name unknown to fame
Shall ring from that high place!
And out of a grave in the Southland,
At the just God's call and beck,
Shall one man rise with fearless eyes,
And a rope about his neck.

For men have swung from gallows
Whose souls were white as snow.
Not how they die nor where, but why,
Is what God's records show.
And on that mighty ledger
Is written Sam Davis' name
For honor's sake he would not make
A compromise with shame.

The great world lay before him,
For he was in his youth;
With love of life young hearts are rife,
But better he loved truth.
He fought for his convictions; 
And when he stood at bay,
He would not flinch or stir one inch
From honor's narrow way.

They offered life and freedom
If he would speak the word;
In silent pride he gazed aside
As one who had not heard.
They argued, pleaded, threatened
It was but wasted breath.
"Let come what must, I keep my trust,"
He said, and laughed at death.

He would not sell his manhood
To purchase priceless hope;
Where kings drag down a name and crown.
He dignified a rope.
Ah, grave! where was your triumph?
Ah, death! where was your sting?
He showed you how a man could bow
To doom and stay a king.

And God, who loves the loyal
Because they are like him,
I doubt not yet that soul shall set
Among his cherubim.
O Southland! bring your laurels;
And add your wreath, O North!
Let glory claim the hero's name,
And tell the world his worth.

Confederate Veteran
December 1908

Music:
"Dixie"


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