The Salt Lake herald. [volume] (Salt Lake City [Utah]) 1870-1909, 1898-07-04
OUR COUNTRY.

| Long ago, when mighty forests
| Covered all this glorious land,
And the indian chieftain'S arrow
relied the deer at his command.
Ere the trum of freedom startled
The fierce gray wolf from his lair;
Ere the white mans Voice of power
Sounded on the tranquil air.
On a stormy autumn evening
When the red mans hunt. was DER;
There appeared a band of pilgrims,
On the wild New England shore.
Just hundred souls there numbered,
In that valiant little flock,
Each with cares, and fears encountered
AS they stood on Plymouth Rock.
Twas our noble Pilgrim fathers.
Who had braved the ocen's might,
To seek liberty, and justice,
And to vindicate their right;
To enjoy religious freedom,
From tyrant monarch's rule,
And to educate their offspring
AS they pleased, in Freedoms school,
Each a cabin rude erected,
In the forests dismal shade;
And when winters blasts 'ertook them
All their humble homes had made.
But the winter brought great hardships,
And their trials were severe;
Pestilence and hunger sought them,
While the earth lay cold and drear,
Ere the springtime's gentle breezes
Rocked the hr trees to and fro,
Half that little band were sleeping,
Underneath the pure white snow.
Soon the fragrant scented flowers
Blossomed Ger the lowly mounds,
And the tall oaks leafy branches
Scattered acorns all around
With q spirit brave, undaunting;
Minds with truth and right imbued:
Those who braved the winters hardShips.
Soon the rugged land subdVed.
Oft they suffered from privations
u In their lodges cold and rude
They, the fathers of our nation
Ere prosperity ensued.
Now. behold the many changes,
Wonderful, soon wrought by time,
From those exilcs in their haun-s,
Sprung nation to its prime.
Where the verdure' clad green mountains.
Ger uncultivated valleys rose,
And the forests depths. mysterious,
Seemed to swarm with savage foes;
They vanquished the willy Indian.
And the dreary wastes reclaimed,
Many thousand lovely cities,
In our country can be named.
When Great Britains king. impatient,
Sought our land to subjugate
And its noble leaders vainly,
For their rights did SuDDlicate:
When in congress they assembled,
Englands claims here to revoke
Every heart cried out for freedom
Freedom, from a monarch's yoke.
Soon the patriots brave responded,
To the call 70 liberty.
And with hearts undaunted braVely
Made this glorious country free.
Now behold a great republic
How its boundaries dilatei
Proudly waves our lovely banner,
Ger union strong and great.
From Canada's vast pine forests,
To the southern orange groves,
And the central plains and mountains
Where the wild cayote roves.
From the east. where mornings sunlight
First gladdens the Pine Tree State"
Till it's parting beams Respondent,
Pass be-ond the Golden Gate.
1t shines on our lovely nation.
Blessed above all other lands
With the wonderful resources.
And great wealth that it commands
Home of freedom where the mighty
Flag of independence waves
Ger millions of proud descendants,
OF those noble pilgrims brave.
Glorious Union, How we love theei
Tho in other lands we roam,
May we still to thee be loyal
Great Amer.cai Our home,
MABEL CRAFTS.
Cedar Valley Utah