Concord Hymn By Ralph Waldo Emerson

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Emerson Born May 25, 1803 in Boston, Massachusetts Father was a well known Boston minister Father died when he was 8 years old, leaving the family to struggle financially Despite living in poverty, he was sent to the Boston Latin School. At age 15 Emerson went to Harvard College. Emerson graduated from Harvard in 1821 and became a teacher. He studied ministry at Harvard Divinity School and began career as a minister in 1826.

He married Ellen Tucker in September 1829, but she died 18 months later of Tuberculosis. Emerson left the ministry in 1832 and went to Europe for 10 months. Upon his return to America, he became a lecturer. He spoke out against materialism (the belief that material or physical things were more important that spirituality). He also spoke out against slavery. He is quoted as saying, “I will not obey it, by God.” (this was considered obscenity/foul language, which he was rarely heard using). He preached and modeled positivity.

He became America’s leading Transcendentalist (a person who believes that reality is discovered through thought and not experience). Emerson believed in America, but was also one of its biggest critics. He helped establish the “American Identity” and called for genuinely American Literature, which he helped through his own writings. His writings were about man, nature, God, and “self reliance”. Emerson married for the 2nd time to Lydia Jackson and had 4 children, but 1 died as a little boy.

He was known in Literary circles as “The Sage of Concord” Emerson died of Pneumonia on April 27, 1882. At the time of his death, he had been America’s leading Essayist for half a century.

Singing Version : https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cLK_p6QU0g4

Concord Hymn Reading https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hbcpfyW47y4

Stanza 1 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

Stanza 2 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.

Stanza 3 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.

Stanza 4 Spirit, that made those heroes dare To die, and leave their children free, Bid Time and Nature gently spare The shaft we raise to them and thee.