AMERICA FOR ME

The author has been traveling in Europe and although he has evidently
enjoyed his visit he turns both longing and appreciation to his own home-land.

Tis fine to see the Old World and travel up and down
Among the famous palaces and cities of renown
To admire the crumbly castles and the statues of the kings.
But now I think I've had enough of antiquated things
So it is home again and home again America for me!
My heart is turning home again and there I long to be.

In the hand of youth and freedom beyond be ocean bars
Where the air: is full of sunlight and the flag is full of stars.
Oh London is a man's town there power in the air
And Paris is a woman's town with flowers in her hair

And it is sweet to dream of Venice and it is great to study Rome
But when it comes to living there is no place like home.

I like the German fir-wood in green battalions drilled
I like the gardens of Versailles with flashing fountains filled
But, oh, to take your hand my dear and ramble for a day
In the friendly western woodland where nature has her way!

I know that Europe is wonderful yet something seems to lack
The past is too much with her and the people looking back
But the glory of the Present is to make the Future free,
We love our land for what she is and what she is to be

Oh it's home again and home again America for me!
I want a ship that's westward bound to plow the rolling sea
To the blessed land of Room Enough beyond the ocean bars,
Where the air is full of sunlight and the flag is full of stars,

Henry Van Dyke

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