Song and story from Les Cheneaux Author:William Porter Purchase of this book includes free trial access to www.million-books.com where you can read more than a million books for free. This is an OCR edition with typos. Excerpt from book: THE MASTER BUlLDERS. I WOULD my words were equal to my theme— But then, if things were other than they seem, An abler tongue should voice your thought to-nigh... more »t, Another pen the praises should indite Of that which claims your fealty; and yet You will it, I obey; it is "kismet." We're told, in Bonnie England, when they say "God bless the King," as well we know they may. Each truly British bosom swells with pride; For whatsoever else they do beside, They're loyal always to the powers that be. For English bow and stubborn English knee Have oftentimes been bent to have it shown How firmly fixed is England's royal throne. In this fair land 'tis true we have no king Nor queen, nor ancient throne. No anthems ring For high-born princeling or presumptive heir; And yet, somehow, we all allegiance bear To what is right and royal. So we say, God bless you all, God bless America. I've watched the masons toiling day by day To build a massive structure by the way; Rough-shapen stones and mortar lie around, While chaos reigns and fragments strew the ground. The plans are drawn, the firm foundation made, Yet all is incomplete until we trace The outline of the key-stone in its place; Each part by it united, great and small; They carry it, and yet it binds them all. Let history point with words none can erase, What hour was thine and where the eventful place That saw thy coming, Spirit of the Free, And gave thee home and built for liberty. Prom stones that once paid tribute to a king, A fortress whose deep arches ever ring With shouts of mighty import to the world. By what broad river was the flag unfurled That made our country free? Where first began The building of this wall of mighty plan? We love the stately Hudson; who does not? And could we have its...« less