Great Ape of our fathers, known of old—
Gorilla of our far-flung battle line—
Beneath whose stinking paw we hold
Dominion over palm and banana—
Great Ape of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget—lest we forget!

The net throwing and the shouting dies—
The Orangutans and the Gorillas depart—
Still stands Thine Ape sacrifice,
An humble and a contrite Ape heart.
Great Ape of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget—lest we forget!

Far-called our cavalries melt away—
In cornfield and swimming holes sinks the fire—
Lo, all our courtrooms of yesterday
Is one with the Forbidden Zone!
Judge of the Apes, spare us yet,
Lest we forget—lest we forget!

If, drunk with sight of Ape-power, we loose
Wild tongues that have not Thee in awe—
Such boastings as the protesting Apes use,
Or lesser breeds without speech wish they could—
Great Ape of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget—lest we forget!

For heathen Nova heart that puts her trust
In reeking man and flying machine—
All valiant human dolls that build on human dolls,
And man guarding calls not Thee to guard.
For frantic boast and foolish non-Ape word,
Thy Mercy on Thy Apes…GREAT APE!
Apemen.