Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

James Weldon Johnson, ed. (1871–1938). The Book of American Negro Poetry. 1922.

A Song of Thanks

FOR the sun that shone at the dawn of spring,

For the flowers which bloom and the birds that sing,

For the verdant robe of the gray old earth,

For her coffers filled with their countless worth,

For the flocks which feed on a thousand hills,

For the rippling streams which turn the mills,

For the lowing herds in the lovely vale,

For the songs of gladness on the gale,—

From the Gulf and the Lakes to the Oceans’ banks,—

Lord God of Hosts, we give Thee thanks!

For the farmer reaping his whitened fields,

For the bounty which the rich soil yields,

For the cooling dews and refreshing rains,

For the sun which ripens the golden grains,

For the bearded wheat and the fattened swine,

For the stalled ox and the fruitful vine,

For the tubers large and cotton white,

For the kid and the lambkin frisk and blithe,

For the swan which floats near the river-banks,—

Lord God of Hosts, we give Thee thanks!

For the pumpkin sweet and the yellow yam,

For the corn and beans and the sugared ham, ion

For the plum and the peach and the apple red,

For the dear old press where the wine is tread,

For the cock which crows at the breaking dawn,

And the proud old “turk” of the farmer’s barn,

For the fish which swim in the babbling brooks,

For the game which hide in the shady nooks,—

From the Gulf and the Lakes to the Oceans’ banks—

Lord God of Hosts, we give Thee thanks!

For the sturdy oaks and the stately pines,

For the lead and the coal from the deep,

dark mines, For the silver ores of a thousand fold,

For the diamond bright and the yellow gold,

For the river boat and the flying train,

For the fleecy sail of the rolling main,

For the velvet sponge and the glossy pearl,

For the flag of peace which we now unfurl,—

From the Gulf and the Lakes to the Oceans’ banks,—

Lord God of Hosts, we give Thee thanks!

For the lowly cot and the mansion fair,

For the peace and plenty together share,

For the Hand which guides us from above,

For Thy tender mercies, abiding love,

For the blessed home with its children gay,

For returnings of Thanksgiving Day,

For the bearing toils and the sharing cares,

We lift up our hearts in our songs and our prayers,—

From the Gulf and the Lakes to the Oceans’ banks,—

Lord God of Hosts, we give Thee thanks!