"The Battle Hymn of the Republic, Updated for 2025" by the Ghost of Mark Twain
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I have seen the gilded tyrant place his scepter on the sand,
While the hungry toil in shadow at the bidding of his hand;
He hath crowned himself with plunder, and declares his reign is grand—
His fraud is marching on.
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I have seen the gilded tyrant place his scepter on the sand,
While the hungry toil in shadow at the bidding of his hand;
He hath crowned himself with plunder, and declares his reign is grand—
His fraud is marching on.
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Through the markets, through the slaughter, through the halls of debt and steel,
Where the cries of desperation serve to oil the mighty wheel,
Where the truth is bought and bartered for the comfort of the deal—
Our god is marching on.
Lo! The bombs have found their bearing, lo! The silos breathe with fire,
Lo! The widows count the hours as the debts are piling higher,
Lo! The children learn the anthem of their fathers' vain desire—
The grave is marching on.
With a ballot held like shackles and a gospel writ in lies,
They shall weave their gospel banners out of others’ tattered cries;
And the judge who speaks of justice binds the blindfold to his eyes—
The law is marching on.
O, be swift ye clods to answer him! Be silent in your chains!
Raise your wages by your rations, take your solace in your pains!
Let the merchants count your sorrow, let the masters keep the gains—
Their reign is marching on.
https://www.esquiremag.ph/long-reads/features/mark-twain-philippines-a00304-20200104