The Night Before

THE NIGHT BEFORE THE RAID 

(By John F. Read)

Lawrence Daily Journal World, August 20, 1913.

Behind Mount Oread's grassy slope, the August sun goes down

And twilight falls from azure skies, above the fated town

Where many a happy home is filled with pleasure, joy and mirth

While joyous groups are gathered o'er that beautiful spot of earth

Where many happy children roam, through lawn and rosy bowers

And lovers stroll through shaded walks, and gardens bright with flowers.

Ah many will remember now, when summer twilights fade

The gold and purple sunset, on the night before the raid.

No cloud obscured that setting sun, the air was still as death

Like that dreadful stillness preceding the cyclone's breath.

Did it come as a silent warning of the morrow's crimson wave

That swept through the unarmed city, leaving dark spots on its pave?

Some may recall the parting words some friend or lover said

And of finding them on the morrow, numbered with the dead.

And many a sad heart will recall some well remembered face

As memory brings from out the past some last farewell embrace.

Some may remember watching little children at their play,

Little thinking they'd be orphans at the close of another day.

Some will recall the closing of their office, shop or store,

But the key that turned the lock that night, will turn it nevermore

For the night will pass and the dawn of day

Will see lives and fortunes swept away.

And the morrow's sun will be shining down

On the smouldering ruins of the plundered town.

And its parting rays will alike be spread

On the homeless living, and the murdered dead

And the last glimmer of that dreadful day

Will sadly pass from this world away.

The night comes on, and starlight falls

On black charred timbers and crumbling walls

And fifty long years have passed away

Since that night in August ushered in that awful day.

The sun goes down in the golden west and twilight shadows fade

Just as they did at close of day, the night before the raid.