My valet-de-chambre sings me no such song.

My valet-de-chambre sings me no such song.

Still the race of hero spirits pass the lamp from hand to hand.

Still the race of hero spirits pass the lamp from hand to hand.

I want a hero: an uncommon want,
When every year and month sends forth a new one.

I want a hero: an uncommon want,
When every year and month sends forth a new one.

He's of stature somewhat low--
Your hero always should be tall, you know.

He's of stature somewhat low--
Your hero always should be tall, you know.

The hero is the world-man, in whose heart
One passion stands for all, the most indulged.

The hero is the world-man, in whose heart
One passion stands for all, the most indulged.

Hail, Columbia! happy land!
Hail, ye heroes! heaven-born band!
Who fought and bled in Freedom's cause.

Hail, Columbia! happy land!
Hail, ye heroes! heaven-born band!
Who fought and bled in Freedom's cause.

Many heroes lived before Agamemnon, but they are all unmourned,
and consigned to oblivion, because they had no bard read more

Many heroes lived before Agamemnon, but they are all unmourned,
and consigned to oblivion, because they had no bard to sing their
praises.
[Lat., Vixere fortes ante Agamemnona
Multi: sed omnes illacrimabiles
Urgentur, ignotique longa
Nocte, carent quia vate sacro.]

There are heroes in evil as well as in good.

There are heroes in evil as well as in good.

But to the hero, when his sword
Has won the battle for the free,
Thy voice sounds read more

But to the hero, when his sword
Has won the battle for the free,
Thy voice sounds like a prophet's word,
And in its hollow tones are heard
The thanks of millions yet to be.