“GIVE us this day our daily bread— | |
| Give us our right,” the hungry said. | |
| Walking along the darkening way, | |
| “Give us our daily bread,” we say. | |
| |
| Hark to the tread of the sullen feet, | 5 |
| Marching down the sleety street: | |
| Hunger staggers along the way. | |
| “Give us our bread and work—today!” | |
| |
| Swaying banners overhead— | |
| “Give us this day our daily bread.” | 10 |
| Masses of men and women throng— | |
| Living witness of living wrong. | |
| |
| “Work, not charity!” is the cry. | |
| Is it sincere—I know not, I! | |
| What can I give but some small dole? | 15 |
| But—will that satisfy my soul? | |
| |
| Buffeting through the wind and the rain, | |
| They will pass again and again, | |
| Menacing all who are sleek and fed: | |
| “Give—or we’ll take—our daily bread.” | 20 |
| |
| Reads like a story of long ago: | |
| “Driven by want, driven by woe, | |
| Peasants arose and began to slay:” | |
| But it all happened yesterday. | |
| |
| Reads like a tale from some far-off land, | 25 |
| Countries we do not understand | |
| (Where there will be the devil to pay!) | |
| But— it all happened across the way. | |
| |
