Poem of William Hermanns

        The Wallenberg Hymn

Go forth, youth, raise your hands and vow:
We march no more with flags unfurled.
We change the swords to plowshares now,
one humanhood, one world.

Our foes are who proclaim the law:
We stronger have the right to tell
who is our equal, who is not.
They're the allies of Hell.

Youth, shall in Hell your conscience burn?
Use it and overturn.

The armament, the battlefield,
the prison cells, Siberia's graves -
the history of the ruling few
is that of lords and slaves.

Come, youth, give a new heart to man.
Make conscience scuttle greed and hate
and watch with awe the cosmic law -
too long we called it fate.

Let's move that better life above
to earth through selfless love.

The flag of greed has waved too long
for misfits of reality.
Who works the land shall own the land;
man is created free.

Youth, rise and stop the human beast.
The apocalyptic bell it tolls.
Hell closes in. O youth, arise,
let conscience feed your souls.

Come, youth, think of your sacred vow,
the Spirit needs you now.

Come, youth, and vibrate holy wrath
against the supermen of power,
who sell your blood and purchase bombs.
Youth, rise, this is your hour.

The cries of children who were gassed
shall build a temple in each heart.
Our humanhood knows no subhumans,
of us they are a part.

We'll save the earth from cosmic scorn,
save children not yet born.

                           William Hermanns        [P344]