Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

Harriet Monroe, ed. (1860–1936). The New Poetry: An Anthology. 1917.

A Simple Song for America

Karle Wilson Baker

GATHER us to thy heart,

Lay us thy spirit bare:

Give us in thee our part,

O Mother young and fair!

Thou art so great, so great,

Thy children are so small,

We cannot guess thy state

Nor compass thee at all.

Our spirits yearn and ache

To forge, from these few years,

What soberer peoples make

From centuries of tears:

Love, like a tempered sword,

Glittering forth at need!

We can but pray the Lord

Who knows nor church nor creed,

The Day-spring from above,

The Truth that maketh free:

Give us great hearts to love

A great land worthily!