O Mother Pioneers! We greet you through our smiles and tears; You laid foundations deep, Climbed oft the sun-beat rocky steep Of sorrow’s mountain wild, Descended through the shadowy vales Led by the little child. Within, without your cabins rude As toiling builders well you wrought, With busy hands and constant hearts, And eager children wisdom taught; Long be delayed the passing bell, Long be it ere we say “Farewell!”
Beloved Pioneers! Whom glory waits in coming years, You planted here with careful hand The youngest scion in our land Cut from the tree of Liberty; To fullest stature it shall grow, With fruitful branches bending low, Your worth then shall the people know. When all your work on earth is done, Your marches o’er and battles won, (No more will toll the passing bell) They’ll watch and wait at Heaven’s gate To bid you Hail! and nevermore, Farewell!
TRANSCRIBER NOTES:
Punctuation has been normalized.
Archaic and alternate spellings have been retained with the exception of those listed below:
Footnote moved closer to its reference.
page 19: "intenton" changed to "intention" (It is my intention to).
page 19: "desirablity" changed to "desirability" (beauty and general desirability).
page 36: "strivinig" changed to "striving" (impotently striving to stay).