Magnolia Leaves · Chicago Exposition Ode

Chicago Exposition Ode

Columbia, all hail!

May thy banner ne’er be furled

Till Liberty, with her beauteous rays,

Enlighten all the world.

Columbia, to thee

From every clime we come,

To lay our trophies at thy feet⁠—

Our sunbright, glorious home.

’Twas a lovely autumn morn,

And the leaves were turning red,

And the sturdy oaks and graceful pines

Their branches overspread;

And the breezes softly swept

The hills and valleys o’er;

And the dew-kissed earth with incense sweet,

Crowned forest, grove and flower.

On a grassy knoll near by

Where the rustling leaves were piled,

Knelt a mighty chief of a mighty tribe,

And his band of warriors wild.

For the rising sun had shown

To the trained eyes of that band,

That vessels three, like white-winged birds,

Were steering straight for land.

Whence comes this stranger fleet?

Whence hails this Pale Face crew?

And the chieftain’s brow was wrapped in pain

As his tomahawk he drew.

Then, with quivering voice, he said

Some evil may betide;

From the land of the sky this host has come⁠—

Let’s haste to the river side.

And the warriors started forth

Like fawns through the forest trees;

When lo! what a wondrous, solemn sight⁠—

“Pale Faces” on their knees!

Before the Holy Cross,

Each with uncovered brow,

Prayed the mighty God, that His blessings e’er

Might this fair land endow.

And the stalwart braves⁠—awe-struck⁠—,

With heads bowed low on breast

As the veteran sailor proudly cried

San Salvador, the blest!

And this first, grand solemn act

Has been chronicled in heaven;

For, from East to West of this broad, fair land,

Has God’s benison been given.

Then hail! bright, sunny land!

Home of the free, the brave!

From the eastern shores to the western plains,

Let thy banner proudly wave.

Nations beyond the seas

Shall worship at thy shrine;

Honor and wealth, and matchless power,

Columbia! be thine.