General William Booth enters into heaven and other poems / Vachel Lindsay [electronic text]

I

[Bass drum beaten loudly.]

BOOTH led boldly with his big bass drum — (Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?) The Saints smiled gravely and they said: "He's come." (Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?) Walking lepers followed, rank on rank, Lurching bravoes from the ditches dank, Drabs from the alleyways and drug fiends pale — Minds still passion-ridden, soul-powers frail: — Vermin-eaten saints with mouldy breath, Unwashed legions with the ways of Death — (Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?)

[Banjos.]

Every slum had sent its half-a-score The round world over. (Booth had groaned for more.) Every banner that the wide world flies Bloomed with glory and transcendent dyes. Big-voiced lasses made their banjos bang, Tranced, fanatical they shrieked and sang: — "Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?" Hallelujah! It was queer to see Bull-necked convicts with that land make free. Loons with trumpets blowed a blare, blare, blare On, on upward thro' the golden air! (Are you washed in the blood of the Lamb?)