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1916
BRETHREN, how shall it fare with me | |
| When the war is laid aside, | |
| If it be proven that I am he | |
| For whom a world has died? | |
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| If it be proven that all my good, | 5 |
| And the greater good I will make, | |
| Were purchased me by a multitude | |
| Who suffered for my sake? | |
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| That I was delivered by mere mankind | |
| Vowed to one sacrifice, | 10 |
| And not, as I hold them, battle-blind, | |
| But dying with open eyes? | |
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| That they did not ask me to draw the sword | |
| When they stood to endure their lot— | |
| That they only looked to me for a word, | 15 |
| And I answered I knew them not? | |
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| If it be found, when the battle clears, | |
| Their death has set me free, | |
| Then how shall I live with myself through the years | |
| Which they have bought for me? | 20 |
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| Brethren, how must it fare with me, | |
| Or how am I justified, | |
| If it be proven that I am he | |
| For whom mankind has died— | |
| If it be proven that I am he | 25 |
| Who, being questioned, denied? | |
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