Emerald, emerald, emerald Land; Land of the sun mists, land of the sea, Stately and stainless and storied and grand As cloud-mantled Hood in white majesty -- Mother of States, we are worn, we are gray -- Mother of men, we are going away. Mother of States, tall mother of men, Of cities, of churches, of homes, of sweet rest, We are going away, we must journey again, As of old we journeyed to the vast, far West. We tent by the river, our feet once more, Please God, are set for the ultimate shore. Mother, white mother, white Oregon In emerald kilt, with star-set crown Of sapphire, say is it night? Is it dawn? Say what of the night? Is it well up and down? We are going away. . . . From yon high watch tower, Young men, strong men, say, what of the hour? Young men, strong men, there is work to be done; Faith to be cherished, battles to fight, Victories won were never well won Save fearlessly won for God and the right. These cities, these homes, sweet peace and her spell Be ashes, but ashes, with the infidel. Have Faith, such Faith as your fathers knew, All else must follow if you have but Faith. Be true to their Faith, and you must be true. "Lo! I will be with you," the Master saith. Good by, dawn breaks; it is coming full day And one by one we strike tent and away. Good by. Slow folding our snow-white tents, Our dim eyes lift to the farther shore, And never these riddled, gray regiments Shall answer full roll-call any more. Yet never a doubt, nay, never a fear Of old, or now, knew the Pioneer. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...A SUMMER'S NIGHT by PAUL LAURENCE DUNBAR A PSALM by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN OLD REMEDIES by EDMUND CHARLES BLUNDEN THE LOVE SONNETS OF PROTEUS: 114. A LATER DEDICATION by WILFRID SCAWEN BLUNT VERSAILLES (1784) by STOPFORD AUGUSTUS BROOKE A BOOK OF AIRS: SONG 15 by THOMAS CAMPION MASQUE AT THE MARRIAGE OF THE EARL OF SOMERSET: CHORUS (2) by THOMAS CAMPION |