Sung at the Completion of the Concord Monument, 4 July 1837

By the rude bridge that arched the flood,
Their flag to April’s breeze unfurled,
Here once the embattled farmers stood,
And fired the shot heard round the world.

The foe long since in silence slept;
Alike the conqueror silent sleeps;
And Time the ruined bridge has swept
Down the dark stream which seaward creeps.

On this green bank, by this soft stream,
We set to-day a votive stone;
That memory may their deed redeem,
When, like our sires, our sons are gone.

Spirit, that made those heroes dare
To die, or leave their childern free,
Bid Time and Nature gently spare
The shaft we raise to them and thee.

Analysis, meaning and summary of Ralph Waldo Emerson's poem Concord Hymn

3 Comments

  1. Grace says:

    This poem was recited at the unveiling of a memorial for those that fought in the American Revolution and is the origin of the iconic phrase “the shot heard round the world”. There’s nothing stupid about immortalizing the sacrifices made by those that fought for American freedom.

  2. alfonzo says:

    This poem is brilliant. Ignorant people like you just don’t understand it.

  3. john says:

    this poem is so stupid

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