English poem
Dedicated to the Business Men’s Club of Cincinnati, May 13, 1903
by William Henry Venable (1836–1920)
America, my own! Thy spacious grandeurs rise Faming the proudest zone Pavilioned by the skies; Day’s flying glory breaks Thy vales and mountains o’er, And gilds thy streams and lakes From ocean shore to shore.
Praised be thy wood and wold, Thy corn and wine and flocks, The yellow blood of gold Drained from thy cañon rocks; Thy trains that shake the land, Thy ships that plow the main, Triumphant cities grand Roaring with noise of gain.
Earth’s races look to Thee: The peoples of the world Thy risen splendors see And thy wide flag unfurled; Thy sons, in peace or war, That emblem who behold, Bless every shining star, Cheer every streaming fold!
Float high, O gallant flag, O’er Carib Isles of palm, O’er bleak Alaskan crag, O’er far-off lone Guam; Where Mauna Loa pours Black thunder from the deeps; O’er Mindanao’s shores, O’er Luzon’s coral steeps.
Float high, and be the sign Of love and brotherhood,— The pledge, by right divine Of Power, to do good; For aye and everywhere, On continent and wave, Armipotent to dare, Imperial to save!