Old Ironsides
Old Ironsides
Original Text
The Complete Poetical Works of Oliver Wendell Holmes, ed. H. E. S. (Boston: Houghton, Mifflin, 1895): 3-4. PS 1955 A1 1895 Robarts Library.
2 Long has it waved on high,
3And many an eye has danced to see
4 That banner in the sky;
5Beneath it rung the battle shout,
6 And burst the cannon's roar; --
7The meteor of the ocean air
8 Shall sweep the clouds no more.
9Her deck, once red with heroes' blood,
10 Where knelt the vanquished foe,
11When winds were hurrying o'er the flood,
12 And waves were white below,
13No more shall feel the victor's tread,
14 Or know the conquered knee; --
16 The eagle of the sea!
17Oh, better that her shattered hulk
18 Should sink beneath the wave;
19Her thunders shook the mighty deep,
20 And there should be her grave;
21Nail to the mast her holy flag,
22 Set every threadbare sail,
23And give her to the god of storms,
24 The lightning and the gale!
Notes
1] "This was the popular name by which the frigate Constitution was known. The poem was first printed in the Boston Daily Advertiser, at the time when it was proposed to break up the old ship as unfit for service. I subjoin the paragraph which led to the writing of the poem. It is from the Advertiser of Tuesday, September 14, 1830: --
`Old Ironsides. -- It has been affirmed upon good authority that the Secretary of the Navy has recommended to the Board of Navy Commissioners to dispose of the frigate Constitution. Since it has been understood that such a step was in contemplation we have heard but one opinion expressed, and that in decided disapprobation of the measure. Such a national object of interest, so endeared to our national pride as Old Ironsides is, should never by any act of our government cease to belong to the Navy, so long as our country is to be found upon the map of nations. In England it was lately determined by the Admiralty to cut the Victory, a one-hundred gunship (which it will be recollected bore the flag of Lord Nelson at the battle of Trafalgar), down to a seventy-four, but so loud were the lamentations of the people upon the proposed measure that the intention was abandoned. We confidently anticipate that the Secretary of the Navy will in like manner consult the general wish in regard to the Constitution, and either let her remain in ordinary or rebuild her whenever the public service may require.' -- New York Journal of Commerce.The poem was an impromptu outburst of feeling and was published on the next day but one after reading the above paragraph. [When Poetry: a Metrical Essay was published this poem was introduced as an interlude at the close of the second section.]" (3-4)
Old Ironsides was famous for having defeated the British ship Guerriere in the War of 1812. Thanks to Holmes' poem, Old Ironsides was saved. Back to Line
15] harpies: half-woman, half-bird predators of classical mythology. Back to Line
Publication Start Year
1830
Publication Notes
Boston Daily Advertiser (Sept. 16, 1830), by "H."; also in Poems (1836)
RPO poem Editors
Ian Lancashire
RPO Edition
RPO 1998.
Rhyme