Classic Poem

O Beautiful, my country!
— Be thine a nobler care
Than all thy wealth of commerce,
— Thy harvests waving fair:
Be it thy pride to cherish
— The manhood of the poor;
Be thou to the oppressed
— Fair Freedom's open door!

For thee our fathers suffered,
— For thee they toiled and prayed;
Upon thy holy altar
— Their willing lives they laid.
Thou hast no common birthright,
— Grand memories on thee shine;
The blood of pilgrim nations
— Commingled, flows in thine.

O Beautiful, our country!
— Round thee in love we draw;
Thine is the grace of freedom,
— The majesty of law.
Be righteousness thy sceptre,
— Justice thy diadem;
And on thy shining forehead
— Be peace the crowning gem!