Swords and Plowshares/Christianity and War
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From the German of Bodenstedt
TALK, if you will, of hero deed,
Of clash of arms and battle wonders;
But prate not of your Christian creed
Preached by the cannon's murderous thunders.
Of clash of arms and battle wonders;
But prate not of your Christian creed
Preached by the cannon's murderous thunders.
And if your courage needs a test,
Copy the pagan's fierce behavior;
Revel in bloodshed east and west,
But speak not with it of the Savior.
Copy the pagan's fierce behavior;
Revel in bloodshed east and west,
But speak not with it of the Savior.
The Turk may wage a righteous war
In honor of his martial Allah;
But Thor and Odin live no more—
Dead are the gods in our Valhalla.
In honor of his martial Allah;
But Thor and Odin live no more—
Dead are the gods in our Valhalla.
Be what you will, entire and free,
Christian or warrior each can please us;
But not the rank hypocrisy
Of warlike followers of Jesus.
Christian or warrior each can please us;
But not the rank hypocrisy
Of warlike followers of Jesus.