Harvest-Home

VERSES TO THE AMERICANS ON THEIR THANKSGIVING DAY, CELEBRATED IN ENGLAND NOVEMBER 28, 1918.

A toast for West and East Drink on this Thursday feast Last in November, The year when Albion’s lands Across the sea join hands-- Drink and remember!

Nineteen-eighteen fulfill’d The kindly purpose will’d By the Ever-living, When first in hope upstay’d The Pilgrim Fathers made Harvest thanksgiving.

And since the seed bore fruit, Which they went forth to root In the wildernesses, Ye now return to find The Rose that they resigned With their distresses.

’Twas when the wide world o’er, Whatever peaceful shore Britons inherit, Britons claim’d right of birth, And fought hell in the mirth Of Shakespeare’s spirit.

Then your true heart was stirr’d, Your arm raised, and your word Went forth, forecasting That the great war should cease In British bonds of peace, Peace everlasting.

The good God bless this day, And we for ever and aye Keep our love living, Till all men ’neath heaven’s dome Sing Freedom’s Harvest-home In one Thanksgiving!