God grant that we shall never see
Our country slave to lust and greed;
God grant that here all men shall be
United by a common creed.
Here Freedom’s Flag has held the sky
Unstained, untarnished from its birth;
Long may it wave to typify
The happiest people on the earth.
Beneath its folds have mothers smiled
To see their little ones at play;
No tyrant hand, by shame defiled,
To them has barred life’s rosy way.
No cruel wall of caste or class
Has bid men pause or turn aside;
Here looms no gate they may not pass–
Here every door is opened wide.
Here at the wells of Freedom all
Who are athirst may drink their fill.
Here fame and fortune wait to call
The toiler who has proved his skill.
Here wisdom sheds afar its light
As every morn the school bells ring,
And little children read and write
And share the knowledge of a king.
God grant that we shall never see
Our country slave to lust and greed;
God grant that men shall always be
United for our nation’s need.
Here selfishness has never reigned,
Here freedom all who come may know;
By tyranny our Flag’s unstained!
God grant that we may keep it so.
Other works by Edgar Albert Guest...
