WE MUST BE TRUE

We must be true, with faith renew

Our solemn vows, forever true!

True as the very prairie grass,

The woods and fields and soil and mass

Of rock, which sun and air have wrought,—

Growing without a thought,

Truly American!

True to historic days, the flow

And national ebb of times ago!

True to the very drops of life,

The battles fought, the stress and strife

Of anguished years to make man free,—

Loving our Liberty,

Truly American!

True to the Lincoln man, the love-chart

Of a great impassioned human heart!

True to the very cry of our Soul

For better days, the far-out goal

Of struggling man,—knowing no race,

Lighted by a brother’s face,

Truly American!

We must be true, with faith renew

Our solemn vows, forever true!

True to the very stars above,

To truth, to freedom, justice, love

For right; yea, unfaltering,—with the brave,

Ready for a freeman’s grave,

Truly American!