[Digger]

Concord Hymn
HYMN.
SUNG AT THE COMPLETION OF
CONCORD MONUMENT, APRIL 19, 1836.
By the rude bridge that arched the flood,
Their flag to April's breeze unfurled,
Here once the embattled farmers stood,
And fired the shot heard round the world,

The foe long since in silence slept,
Alike the Conqueror silent sleeps,
And Time the ruined bridge has swept
Down the dark stream which seaward creeps.

On this green bank, by this soft stream,
We set to-day a votive stone,
That memory may their deed redeem,
When like our sires our sons are gone.

Spirit! who made those freemen dare
To die, or leave their children free,
Bid time and nature gently spare
The shaft we raise to them and Thee

[Digger]

If I remember my history Ralph Waldo Emerson was asked to dedicate this monument. You see his grandfather was the pastor at the little church there & he went off with the troops at Valley Forge. That winter he got the fever & died. (Now today we got a hugh group of anti-americans in congress who strive to ruin this wonder gift given to us. No way would these people have put up with this government. When will we stand up to them by action?)

[El Gato]

The day I visited Lexington, the "battle road", Concord and the bridge (as well as the nearby Walden Pond) April 19, 1993 (quite sick to my stomach after seeing the final assault on the Branch Davidians on TV) the river was in flood, the same as on the much earlier April 19th. The causeway on the far side of the bridge was underwater, and I saw a one man shell glide over the causeway rather than going under the bridge.