Wednesday, September 20, 2006

A Soldier's Prayer From a Writer's Pen


I believe the scene was the day before the 54th went into battle. The former slaves "freedmen" of the 54th were gathered around in the stillness before the battle. Morgan Freeman (in the movie "Glory") begins to pray the following words while in the background the humming of the tune "O Lord, Lord, Lord, Lord" is simmering:

"Tomorrow we goin' to battle.

So, Lordy, let me fight
with the rifle in one hand...
and the Good Book in the other.

That if I should die
at the muzzle of the rifle...
die on water or on land...

I may know that You,
blessed Jesus Almighty, are with me."

Men of the 54th - rest in peace.

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