by Vachel Lindsay (1879 - 1931)
General William Booth enters into Heaven See original
Language: English
Booth led boldly with his big bass drum (Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?) The Saints smiled gravely and they said, "He's come," (Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?) Walking lepers followed rank on rank, Lurching bravos from the ditches dank Drabs the alleyways and drug fiends pale Minds still passion ridden, soul flowers frail: Vermin eaten saints with moldy breath, Unwashed legions with the ways of Death (Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?) Ev'ry slum had sent its half a score The world round over. (Booth had groaned for more). Ev'ry banner that the wide world flies Bloomed with glory and transcendent dyes, Big voiced lassies made their banjoes bang, Tranced, fanatical they shrieked and sang; "Are you? Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?" Hallelulah! It was queer to see Bull necked convicts with that land made free. Loons with trumpets a blare, blare, blare, On, on, upward thro' the golden air! (Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?) ... Jesus came from the court house door, Stretched his hands above the passing poor. Booth saw not, but led his queer ones Round and round the mighty courthouse square. Yet! in an instant all that blear review Marched on spotless, clad in raiment new. The lame were straightened, withered limbs uncurled, And blind eyes opened on a new, sweet world. ...
Composition:
- Set to music by Charles Edward Ives (1874 - 1954), "General William Booth enters into Heaven", 1914, published 1914, lines 1-23, 30-37 [ voice and piano ], confirmed with a review of the poem in The Independent, 77/#3397 (12 Jan 1914)
Text Authorship:
- by Vachel Lindsay (1879 - 1931), appears in General William Booth Enters into Heaven and Other Poems, first published 1919
See other settings of this text.
Researcher for this text: Emily Ezust [Administrator]
This text was added to the website between May 1995 and September 2003.
Line count: 57
Word count: 432