1
America, America, thou gavest birth
To light that lighteth all the earth.
God keep it pure!
We love that onward leading light;
We will defend it with our might,
It shall endure!
2
America, America, our love of thee
Is free-men’s love of Liberty,
The Spirit blest,
Which holds high happiness in store,
When Right shall reign from shore to shore.
From East to West.
3
America, America, thy seer-graved seal
Foretells the perfect Commonweal
Of God-made men;
Its eagle with unwearied wings
Is symbol of the thought-seen things
Of prophet’s ken.
4
America, America, on-pressing van
Of all the hopes of waking man,
We love thy flag!—Thy stately flag of steadfast
stars,
And white, close held to heart-red bars,
Which none shall drag!
5
America, America, in thee is found
Manasseh’s tribe, to Ephraim bound
By Israel’s vow,
Whose destiny is heaven-sealed;
Far spreading vine in fruitful field
God’s planting, thou!
6
America, America, faith-shadowed land,
Truth dwells in Thee, and Truth shall stand
To guard thy gate.
Thy planted seed of potent good
Shall grow to world-wide brotherhood,
Man’s true estate.
7
America, America, the God of love
Whose name is ev’ry name above
Is thy defence.
’Tis thou must lead the longing world
From phantom fears to Love’s unfurled
Omnipotence.
The music was played through and then the Guide began the song again, expecting the girls to sing, but they were so intensely interested in watching her deft fingers touch the rims of the bowls that they quite forgot to sing. As Miss Miller concluded the song the second time, she looked around and laughed:
“That was the softest singing I ever thought possible!”
The girls laughed, too, and Zan said: “Try us again—maybe we can voice more sound.”
Then the song was played and sung through and Mrs. Baker came in to listen, saying: “It sounded so sweet that I wanted to hear it at closer range.”
“I think the idea is charming, but of course there is nothing like the tomtom for an Indian scalp dance or Hopi Indian song,” said Miss Miller.
She then played several old ballads, the girls humming the chorus of each as she played it.
“Girls, let’s have Miss Miller play that Morning Prayer that was written for us by request. We all know the words and with this sweet music it ought to sound lovely!” exclaimed Zan.
Then the manuscript sheet of music sent the Band by a friend was produced and the Guide played it. At the second playing the girls all sang in low sweet voices and who can say that the genuine desire expressed in the words of the simple verses was not as acceptable to the Great Spirit as any scholastic prayer ever uttered by famous theologians.
“If Miss Miller will agree, we can practise this glass music at odd moments during the week and any member excelling in the performance on Saturday will have a prize—same as May’s chest,” ventured Jane. “Yes, unless we have a camp this week-end. If we do we can award the prize some evening next week,” assented Zan.