Beat! beat! drums!
Blow! bugles! blow!
Through the windows
Through doors
Burst like a ruthless force
Into the solemn church
And scatter the congregation
Into the school where the scholar is studying;
Leave not the bridegroom quiet
No happiness must he have now with his bride
Nor the peaceful farmer any peace
Ploughing his field or gathering his grain
So fierce you whirr and pound, you drums
So shrill you bugles blow

Beat! beat! drums!
Blow! bugles! blow!
Over the traffic of cities
Over the rumble of wheels in the streets
Are beds prepared for sleepers at night in the houses?
No sleepers must sleep in those beds
No bargainers bargains by day
No brokers or speculators
Would they continue?
Would the talkers be talking?
Would the singer attempt to sing?
Would the lawyer rise in the court
To state his case before the judge?
Then rattle quicker, heavier drums
You bugles wilder blow
Beat! beat! drums!
Blow! bugles! blow!
Make no parley
Stop for no expostulation
Mind not the timid
Mind not the weeper or prayer
Mind not the old man beseeching the young man
Let not the child’s voice be heard
Nor the mother’s entreaties
Make even the trestles to shake the dead
Where they lie awaiting the hearses
So strong you thump O terrible drums
So loud you bugles blow
Beat! beat! drums!
Beat! beat! drums!
Blow! bugles! blow!