To the Lovers of
"Liberty and Union, Now and Forever,
One and Inseperable"
"Strew Flowers Above the Noble Dead!" (May 1880)
National Ode for Decoration Day
[aka Memorial Day = May 30]
Words by John Keynton
Music by George Washbourne Morgan, 1822-1892

New York: Spear & Dehnhoff, 717 Broadway
New York Hotel
Lithographed by R. Truer
Engraver: Clayton
[Source: 1880-08002@LoC]

1. Strew flow’rs above the noble dead, 
Sweet with their tears of dew;
Let garlands ever bright be spread 
For these the good, the true!
Their deeds on Hist’ry’s page of fame, 
Forevermore shall last!
All honor’d be each glorious name 
Whose deeds illume the past.

CHORUS [sung after each verse]
Strew flow’rs above the noble dead, 
Sweet with the tears of dew;
Let garlands ever bright be spread 
For these the good, the true!

2. Strew flow’rs above the noble dead, 
And in each heart enshrin’d, 
Forevermore with hunger wed, 
Keep them in heart and mind;
No more the dreams shall beat for them,— 
Their labors new are done;
For them the glorious diadem, 
The noble vict’ty won.

3. Strew flow’rs above the noble dead, 
Alike the Blue, the Gray;
And in our hearts, all anger fled,— 
Be both enshrin’d today.
The brighten’d hues of earthly flow’rs 
Bespeak fond Nature’s praise;
So fresh be they in hearts of ours, 
Thro’ all the peaceful days.