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. | Discover our Poem Explanations and Poet Analyses!Other Poems of Interest...AN ALPINE PICTURE by THOMAS BAILEY ALDRICH THE WILD HONEYSUCKLE by PHILIP FRENEAU AT CASTERBRIDGE FAIR: 2. FORMER BEAUTIES by THOMAS HARDY SONNET: 11 by RICHARD BARNFIELD THE COMPLAINT OF CHASTITIE by RICHARD BARNFIELD CAELI by FRANCIS WILLIAM BOURDILLON ON THE BIRTHDAY OF WASHINGTON by JOHN GARDINER CALKINS BRAINARD |