Why Sing of Old?
Why sing of old, when present days
Are fresher, fairer far?
As well the moonbeam's silent rays
To tilt against the star.
Are fresher, fairer far?
As well the moonbeam's silent rays
To tilt against the star.
Why sing of foreign lands and name,
When here at our own door
Lies every attribute of Fame,
We search for o'er and o'er?
When here at our own door
Lies every attribute of Fame,
We search for o'er and o'er?
Why sing of cave and cavern deep,
Whose land can ne'er compare
With ours, whose mighty wonders sleep
Around us, everywhere?
Whose land can ne'er compare
With ours, whose mighty wonders sleep
Around us, everywhere?
Why sing of artist, or of art
In lands beyond the seas,
And pass by those of greater part
In glorious lands like these?
In lands beyond the seas,
And pass by those of greater part
In glorious lands like these?
Oh, Freedom is a mighty thing,
And yet 'tis thrown aside
By those who would of others sing,
Because of vaunted pride.
And yet 'tis thrown aside
By those who would of others sing,
Because of vaunted pride.
—78—
