Raymond Garfield Dandridge, "Blacks in Blue" (1917)
In Revolutionary days
A struggling nation, young,
Sent out a call for volunteers
With powder-horn and gun ;
When Betsy Ross unfurled the flag
They vowed to die or do,
And marched with Green in Jersey,
A few brave Blacks in Blue.
In the "War of Eighteen-twelve,"
With Perry they stood well.
To save the day at New Orleans
They fought, they bled, and fell ;
In "Indian Wars" they took a part,
Helped make the "Iron clad's" crew,
They never took a backward step;
Courageous Blacks in Blue.
In the "War of the Rebellion,"
Ethiopia's son were there;
Readily they served their country.
Willingly they did their share.
Their battle cry was "Victory!"
They knew no Waterloo;
They cheered aloud 'mid bursting shell,
Fearless Blacks in Blue.
In the cruel "Civil War,"
Far worse than all others;
Fathers fought against their sons,
And brothers fought their brothers.
At Gettysburg and Bloody Run,
Their bleeding bodies strew
The battlefield, to others free;
Unflinching Blacks in Blue.
In Cuba and the Philippines
Their deeds of valor won,
Remember how they rescued
The Colonel, at San Juan;
Above a block house on the hill
They raised their "colors true,"
Then lent aid to the shattered "Sixth" —
Gallant Blacks in Blue.
In Nineteen-sixteen with Old Glory
They marched into Mexico;
And at Carrizal, outnumbered,
Bravely faced a deadly foe;
The acid test of time has tried them,
Tried and found them solid, through.
And there never was a traitor
Found among the Blacks in Blue.
Published in Penciled Poems, 1917