Democratic Sentinel, Volume 17, Number 9, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 17 March 1893 — The Marseilles Hymn. [ARTICLE]

The Marseilles Hymn.

The famous French national song had a singular origin. Early in 1792, during the first French revolution, a column of volunteers was aoout leaving Strasburg, and the Mayor gave them a banquet, and askedt.a young officer named Rouget de Lisle to compose a song in their honor. He consented, and in the course of a single night produced the song and the tune to which it is sung. It was received with great enthusiasm, and by its means the column was increased from 600 to 1,000. It was soon sung by the whole army of the north, but was still unknown in Paris. In July the youth of Marseilles were summoned to Paris, and they came singing this hymn. The Parisians were electrified, and they gave it the name of the “Marseillaise,” which it has borne ever since. It is sung with true French enthusiasm on every inspiring occasion. The following is a translaticfh of the hymn: TIIE MARSEILLES HYMN. Ye sons o t France, awake to glory! Hark, hark, what myriads hid you rise! Your children, wives, and grandsires hoary— Behold their tears and hear their cries! Shall hateful tyrants, mischief breeding, With hireling hosts, a ruffian baud, Affright and desolate the land. While liberty and peace lie bleeding? To arms! to arms! ye brave! The avenging sword unsheathe! March on! march on! all hearts resolved On victory or death! ‘•Now, now, the dangerous storm Is rolling, Which treacherous kings confederal” raise; The dogs of war, let loose, are howling. And, lo! our fields and cities blaze, And shall we basely view the ruin. While lawless force, with guilty stride. Spreads desolation far and wide, With crimes and blood his hands Imbruing? “With luxury and pride surrounding, The bold. Insatiate despots dare— Their thlrstof gold and power unbounded— To mete and rend the light and air. Like beasts of burden would they load us, Like gods would bid their slaves adore; But man Is man, and who Is more? Then shall they longe.* lash and goad us? “O Liberty, can man resign thee, Once having felt thy generous flame? Can dungeons, bolts, or bars confine thee Or whips thy noble spirit tame? Too long the world has wept, bewailing. That Falsehood’s dagger tyrants wied, But Freedom Is our sword and shield. And all their arts are unavailing.”