Happy Pułaski Day
Kazimierz Pułaski, soldier, politician, freedom fighter, and father of American cavalry.
Pułaski Day will be observed in Illinois on March 5th this year.
Hymn of the Moravian Nuns of Bethlehem
When the dying flame of day
Through the chancel shot its ray,
Far the glimmering tapers shed
Faint light on the cowled head;
And the censer burning swung,
Where nere before the altar, hung
The crimson banner, that with prayer
Had been consecrated there.
And the nun’s sweet hymn was heard while,
Sung low, in the dim, mysterious aisle.“Take thy banner, May it wave
Proudly oer the good and brave;
Wnen the battle’s distant wail
Breaks the Sabbath of our vale,
When the clarion’s music thrills
To the hearts of these lone hills,
When the spear in conflict shakes,
And the strong lance shivering breaks.“Take thy banner! and, beneath
The battle-cloud’s encircling wreath,
Guard it, till our homes are free!
Guard it! God will prosper thee!
In the dark and trying hour,
In the breaking forth of power,
In the rush of steeds and men,
His right hand will shield thee then.“Take thy banner! But when night
Closes round the ghastly flight, If the vanquished warrior
bow, Spare him! as thou wouldst be
spared! By our prayers and many tears, By the
mercy that endears, Spare him! he our love hath
shared! Spare him! as thou wouldst be spared“Take thy banner! and if e’er
Thou shouldst press the soldier’s bier,
And the muffled drum should beat
To the tread of mournfulfeet,
Then this crimson flag shall be
Martial cloak and shroud for thee.”The warrior took that banner proud,
And it was his martial cloak and shroud!
Henry Wadsworth Longfellow’s poem entitled “Hymn of the Moravian Nuns of Bethlehem” was inspired by the fact that General Pułaski’s Legion is said to have marched into battle with a silk banner embroidered by Moravians in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania.