Maryland, My Maryland

The despot's heel is on thy shore,
Maryland, my Maryland!
His touch at thy temple door,
Maryland, my Maryland!
Avenge the patriotic gore,
That flecked the streets of Baltimore,
And be the battle queen of yore,
Maryland, my Maryland!

Hark to an exiled son's appeal,
Maryland, my Maryland!
My Mother state, to thee I kneel!
Maryland, my Maryland!
For life and death, for woe and weal!
Thy peerless chivalry reveal,
And gird thy beauteous limbs with steel,
Maryland! My Maryland!

Thou wilt not cower in the dust,
Maryland, my Maryland!
Thy beaming sword shall never rust,
Maryland, my Maryland!
Remember Carrol's sacred trust,
Remember Howard's warlike thrust,
and all thy slumberers with the just,
Maryland, my Maryland!

Come! for thy shield is bright and strong,
Maryland, my Maryland!
Come! for thy dalliance does thee wrong,
Maryland, my Maryland!
Come to thine own heroic throne;
That stalks with Liberty along,
And sing thy dauntless slogan song,
Maryland! My Maryland!

Dear Mother! burst the tyrant's chain,
Maryland, my Maryland!
Virginia should not call in vain,
Maryland, my Maryland!
She meets her sisters on the plain—
"Sic semper!" 'tis the proud refrain
That baffles minions back amain,
Maryland! yy Maryland!

I see the blush upon thy cheek,
Maryland, my Maryland!
For thou wast ever bravely meek,
Maryland, my Maryland!
But lo! there surges forth a shriek,
From hill to hill, from creek to creek—
Potomac calls to Chesapeake,
Maryland! my Maryland!

Thou wilt not yield the Vandal toll,
Maryland, my Maryland!
Thou wilt not crook to his control,
Maryland, my Maryland!
Better the fire upon thee roll,
Better the blade, the shot, the bowl,
Than crucifixion on the soul,
Maryland! My Maryland!

I hear the distant thunder-hum,
Maryland, my Maryland
The Old Line's bugle, fife, and drum,
Maryland, my Maryland!
She is not dead, nor deaf, nor dumb—
Huzza! she spurns the Northern scum!
She breathes! she burns! she'll come! she'll come!
Maryland! My Maryland!