These Times That Try Men's Souls

This is all that I believe

To bear witness to my calling

My life escapes me, my days they shorten

These final breaths to testify

To face these years is adversity in itself

Calm passed long ago to revel times foretold

Before is the open book another page, pieces fall into place

Take heed to discern the times, of the signs

These times that try men's souls

Whereby we know, this life is like a shadow

And assuredly death shall stand to greet the soul

The years, they've coursed the storm that's been uprising

Since the days of old building, and now approaching

He sees not his shadow, who faces the sun

For his eyes burn and melt as wax

The price paid for living in light

Is that of gold in the crucible

Ever melting, straining, striving, to be made pure

Purity escapes me, remembrance breaks me down

Though my knees become weak, I will cause my foot another step to carry the task

Bleeds my hands but, they are kept, remembrance breaks me down

But I will survive until it is the last time