Soldier, Ask Not

Hymn of the Friendlies by Gordon R. Dickson, within book of the same title (1923–2001), published 1965

Soldier, ask not - now, or ever,
Where to war your banners go.
Anarch's legions all surround us.
Strike - and do not count the blow!

Glory, honor, praise and profit,
Are but toys of tinsel worth.
Render up your work, unasking,
Leave the human clay to earth.

Blood and sorrow, pain unending,
Are the portion of us all.
Grasp the naked sword, opposing,
Gladly in the battle fall.

So shall we, anointed soldiers,
Stand at last before the Throne,
Baptized in our wounds, red-flowing,
Sealed unto our Lord - alone!


I read the Dorsai books a long time ago. Some of them I read several times. I loved the songs he used in the books. This is a really good one.

There are lots of other songs that have been written about the Dorsai. You can find them on the Dorsai Irregulars Filk Song Collection. I'm going to be posting some of my favorite filk song lyrics because a few of the older sites seem to be disappearing and it would be a shame to lose them.

If you want to know more about Filk Songs...check out Filking 101:The Folk Music of Science Fiction.

Dare To Be a Daniel

Daniel 1:8, Daniel 6:10-11; Acts 16:25-28

Standing by a purpose true,
Heeding God's command,
Honor them, the faithful few!
All hail to Daniel's Band!

Dare to be a Daniel, dare to stand alone!
Dare to have a purpose Firm! Dare to make it known!

Many mighty men are lost,
Daring not to stand,
Who for God had been a host,
By joining Daniel's Band!

Many giants, great and tall,
Stalking thro' the land,
Headlong to the earth would fall,
If met by Daniel's Band!

Hold the gospel banner high!
On to vict'ry grand!
Satan and his host defy,
And shout for Daniel's Band!

I saw this mentioned somewhere a while back..in a Good News Magazine article I think. This is one of the good songs. It talks about courage and being faithful and willing to stand for what you believe in.

I remember singing lots of songs at church when I was little. They had a lot of songs to help teach kids Bible stories. This is one of those. I haven't heard it sung anywhere in ages.

I suppose some churches do still teach these songs to the kids. And maybe home-schools do as well. I hope they are not being completely forgotten. Do your kids know this song? What other Bible/church songs do they know?

Tragedy by Jil Spargur

I first read this in a book of poems my father gave me for my birthday when I turned 12. I loved many of the poems in this book. This one is about how things change as you grow up. She wanted a red balloon but her mom didn't think it was worth the  money...and she says she could get one now that she is grown but she doesn't want it anymore. I think children these days would be shocked at this. Most of the ones I know have so many toys they can't put them all up. Maybe the kids today are TOO spoiled? The girl in this story was not for sure.

I always wanted a red balloon,
It only cost a dime,
But Ma said it was risky,
They broke so quickly,
And beside, she didn't have time;
And even if she did, she didn't
Think they were worth a dime.
W lived on a farm, and I only went
To one circus and fair,
And all the balloons I ever saw
Were there.
There were yellow ones and blue ones,
But the kind I liked the best
Were red, and I don't see why
She couldn't have stopped and said
That maybe I could have one--
But she didn't--I suppose theat now
You can buy them anywheres,
And that they still sell red ones
At circuses and fairs.
I got a little money saved;
I got a lot of time,
I got no one to tell me how to spend my dime;
Plenty of balloons--But somehow
There's something died inside of me,
And I don't want--now.


This poem can be found in