In the Land of Dakota Part 3

Renowned bard of Albion's land America bids thee rise Like Phoenix, fabled from of old-- Immortal, to the skies.

THE ANSWER

Writ in the skies above me In sentence of purest gold, In answer to age-long questions: G.o.d ruleth as of old!

THE IMMIGRANT TO THE STARS AND STRIPES

O Flag, on all the earth the best, Thou emblem of true liberty, We, immigrants from all the earth, Pledge thee our love and loyalty!

Thy crimson bars to us are dear, Thy stars with hope our hearts imbue; Thou emblem of fraternity, We will be true, yes true to you!

O Flag, thou flag of Was.h.i.+ngton, Thou emblem of democracy, We'll follow thee, whate'er befall, We pledge to thee our fealty!

Our brain, our brawn, our life, our all-- America, we give to you!

With heart and hand we pledge anew To G.o.d and you, we will be true!

We will be true, yes, true to you, O Flag, and all for which you stand: Equality and liberty And happiness throughout the land.-- Thy foster sons, America, Will serve thee well--thy daughters too; Their life, their all, they pledge anew, O Stars and Stripes, to you--to you!

THE PEACE OF THE WOODS

Oh, oft when I come to the city, I long for the peace of the woods; For the sighing of winds in the pine trees And the laughter of running brooks; The chatter of squirrel and chipmunk, The call of the shy wood dove.-- Oh, the forest's the place to listen To that grandest of anthems--Love.

Ere the darksome shades of the forest Have vanished, at early dawn, A million happy creatures Are chanting their morning psalm; They sing of the joy of living, In happiness, peace, and love, And gratefully raise their voices To the great All-Giver above.

And I, in a gladsome spirit, Join in with the happy throng; Sustained, and strengthened, and soothed, By Nature's mighty song.-- And oft when I come to the city, I long for that song of love, That the forest's happy creatures Raise to the Father above.

KEEP THE PATH CLEAR!

Oh, do not trifle with friends.h.i.+p, I pray, Guard it more closely each swift-flying day; Gifts the most precious, and gold cannot pay For friends.h.i.+p once broken.

It's vanished for aye!--

Keep clear the path to your friend's heart, I pray!

Weeds of forgetfulness soon choke the way; Pa.s.s that way often; keep polished, I pray, The flagstones that guide you down friends.h.i.+p's own way!