Uploaded January 2019 | Updated September 2026, 2 hours ago
Henry might be describing the first meeting of Congress under the Constitution, which took place on the 4th of March, 1789 in New York City. But that occasion, while celebrated with the ringing of bells and the firing of cannons in the morning, noon and evening, could not do any work, because there were only eight senators and thirteen representatives present, not enough to constitute a forum.
Theodore Roosevelt describes New York City's ratification procession in his 1906 book, New York.
Music is "Gentle Sailor" from Henry's Music Manuscript Book. Narration by Byron Nilsson.
A Procession
The legislators pass along
A solemn, self-important throng!
Just raised from the common mass
They feel themselves another class.
--But let them in the sunshine play
For every dog must have his day.
There moves the law's close-wedged band
The scourge & terror of the land!
Pandora's box replete with ills
Not half so baleful as their quills.
The sons of Galen, ghastly crew!
Next pass in horrible review:
Arm'd with each instrument of death
To sap the citadel of Health.
Ten thousand times ten thousand fall
And physic's monster gulps down all.
Bellona's sons, a num'rous train,
now darken all the dusky plain!
--War, their amusement, Death their trade
And the one sin, to be afraid.
They're but another dire disease
The soul from prison to release:
And man forlorn, as well may be
A prey to steel as malady:
Explore he must the mortal road,
The only diff'rence is the mode.
The men in black bring up the rear,
More warm to preach than folks to hear:
Each points to his own fav'rite road
As leading to the blest abode
Proclaiming loud that all are wrong
Who don't around his banners throng.
Till, all confounded FAITH retires
And frighten'd CHARITY expires.
Henry might be describing the first meeting of Congress under the Constitution, which took place on the 4th of March, 1789 in New York City. But that occasion, while celebrated with the ringing of bells and the firing of cannons in the morning, noon and evening, could not do any work, because there were only eight senators and thirteen representatives present, not enough to constitute a forum.
Theodore Roosevelt describes New York City's ratification procession in his 1906 book, New York.
Music is "Gentle Sailor" from Henry's Music Manuscript Book. Narration by Byron Nilsson.
A Procession
The legislators pass along
A solemn, self-important throng!
Just raised from the common mass
They feel themselves another class.
--But let them in the sunshine play
For every dog must have his day.
There moves the law's close-wedged band
The scourge & terror of the land!
Pandora's box replete with ills
Not half so baleful as their quills.
The sons of Galen, ghastly crew!
Next pass in horrible review:
Arm'd with each instrument of death
To sap the citadel of Health.
Ten thousand times ten thousand fall
And physic's monster gulps down all.
Bellona's sons, a num'rous train,
now darken all the dusky plain!
--War, their amusement, Death their trade
And the one sin, to be afraid.
They're but another dire disease
The soul from prison to release:
And man forlorn, as well may be
A prey to steel as malady:
Explore he must the mortal road,
The only diff'rence is the mode.
The men in black bring up the rear,
More warm to preach than folks to hear:
Each points to his own fav'rite road
As leading to the blest abode
Proclaiming loud that all are wrong
Who don't around his banners throng.
Till, all confounded FAITH retires
And frighten'd CHARITY expires.
