To The Fourth Of July Poem by Swami Vivekananda

To The Fourth Of July

Rating: 4.8


Behold, the dark clouds melt away,
That gathered thick at night, and hung
So like a gloomy pall above the earth!

Before thy magic touch, the world
Awakes. The birds in chorus sing.
The flowers raise their star-like crowns-
Dew-set, and wave thee welcome fair.

The lakes are opening wide in love
Their hundred thousand lotus-eyes
To welcome thee, with all their depth.

All hail to thee, thou Lord of Light!
A welcome new to thee, today,
O sun! today thou sheddest LIBERTY!
Bethink thee how the world did wait,
And search for thee, through time and clime.

Some gave up home and love of friends,
And went in quest of thee, self banished,
Through dreary oceans, through primeval forests,
Each step a struggle for their life or death;

Then came the day when work bore fruit,
And worship, love, and sacrifice,
Fulfilled, accepted, and complete.
Then thou, propitious, rose to shed
The light of FREEDOM on mankind.

Move on, O Lord, on thy resistless path!
Till thy high noon o'erspreads the world.
Till every land reflects thy light,
Till men and women, with uplifted head,
Behold their shackles broken, and
Know, in springing joy, their life renewed!

POET'S NOTES ABOUT THE POEM
From The Complete Works of Swami Vivekananda, Vol5 Page 440.

It is well known that Swami Vivekananda left his body on the 4th of July,1902. On the 4th of July 1898, he was travelling with some American disciples in Kashmir, and as part of a domestic conspiracy for the celebration of the day- the anniversary of the American Declaration of Independence- he prepared the following poem, to be read aloud at the early breakfast.
COMMENTS OF THE POEM
Surajit Banerjee 04 July 2014

Swamiji was born in India, then a British colony. The poem depicts how he was moved by the freedom enjoyed by USA and aspire his countrymen should come forward and taste the life of a free nation. The vision he envisaged way back in 19th century became true in 1947 when India achieved independence.

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Surajit Banerjee 04 July 2014

Swamiji was born in India, then a British colony. The poem depicts how he was moved by the freedom enjoyed by USA and aspire his countrymen should come forward and taste the life of a free nation. The vision he envisaged way back in 19th century became true in 1947 when India achieved independence.

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Bhagabat Prasad Hotta 30 October 2018

SO GREAT POEM. THE LIFE IS A GIFT OF GOD.

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Sylvia Frances Chan 22 June 2020

A Fascinating poem of Spiritual Insight. Only four years before his death he created this.Wonderous! My great respect and appreciations for this spiritual great Indian Poet.God's Blessings for the family of the honoured late Poet.

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Prabir Gayen 22 June 2020

The lakes are opening wide in love Their hundred thousand lotus-eyes To welcome thee, with all their depth.

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Ananya 08 November 2018

4th of July is celebrated as independence day for the Britishers

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Ananya 08 November 2018

Very nice recitation

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Bhumita 06 November 2018

Its very nice poem

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Swami Vivekananda

Swami Vivekananda

Calcutta / India
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