Joseph Ryan  

Introduction

Born in Maryland to Irish immigrants, Fr. Abram Joseph Ryan (1838 – 1886) was a Catholic priest and a poet, and an ardent supporter of the Confederate States of America. He has been called the "Poet-Priest of the South." His poems are written in the “Lost Cause” style that flourished in the South after the war. They focus on themes of heroic martyrdom by men who defend their native land against a tyrannical invader.

Source: Father Ryan's Poems. Mobile, J. L. Rapier & co., 1879.

The Sword of Robert Lee

Forth from its scabbard, pure and bright, 

Flashed the sword of Lee! 

Far in the front of the deadly fight,

High o'er the brave in the cause of Right

Its stainless sheen, like a beacon light,

Led us to Victory!

Out of its scabbard, where, full long,

It slumbered peacefully,

Roused from its rest by the battle's song,

Shielding the feeble, smiting the strong,

Guarding the right, avenging the wrong,

Gleamed the sword of Lee!

Forth from its scabbard, high in the air

Beneath Virginia's sky--

And they who saw it gleaming there,

And knew who bore it, knelt to swear

That where that sword led they would dare

To follow--and to die!

Out of its scabbard! Never hand

Waved sword from stain as free,

Nor purer sword led braver band,

Nor braver bled for a brighter land,

Nor brighter land had a cause so grand,

Nor cause a chief like Lee!

Forth from its scabbard! How we prayed

That sword might victor be;

And when our triumph was delayed

And many a heart grew sore afraid,

We still hoped on while gleamed the blade

Of noble Robert Lee!

Forth from its scabbard all in vain

Bright flashed the sword of Lee;

'Tis shrouded now in its sheath again,

It sleeps the sleep of our noble slain,

Defeated, yet without stain,

Proudly and peacefully!