George Parker Smoote
Published: 2013-09
Total Pages: 20
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This historic book may have numerous typos and missing text. Purchasers can usually download a free scanned copy of the original book (without typos) from the publisher. Not indexed. Not illustrated. 1890 edition. Excerpt: ... SONGS OF THE MISSISSIPPI. Prelude. I. We all love rivers: E'en the little rills, That gurgle down the valleys round our homes, Live ever in our memories and hearts; And at all times we feel a joyous swell Within our souls, and coursing all our veins, When any flowing river meets the eye. 'Tis thus I love all streams, but unto thee, Oh! mighty Mississippi, goes my heart, More than all other rivers of the earth. And I have yearned to see thy name embalmed In glowing song, immortal as thyself; And I have listened for those harps renowned, Which sing the glories of this land of ours, To sound abroad thy praises and thy fame. But they are silent; and with trembling hand, And awed, I now essay the great attempt. Oh ye, who sang the heathen Gods of old, In strains that have outlived their shrines--oh Bards Whose tuneful songs are heard above the roar Of earth's discordant storms--Judean Seers Whose visions passed the far off blue of heaven--Whose voices uttered moral truths profound, Beseeching human hearts to turn to God And live, despise not ye my daring lyre, Though by a village hand 'tis tuned and strung! If Ye do still look on these scenes below With any deep regard, or interest take In mortal songs, which once your glory were, And can a child of earth inspire with thought, Oh! fill me now with that celestial fire, Which still along your lofty numbers burns! It is no mean ambition bids me sing, To win the shallow praise that lives an hour; But that I may impress on every heart, The same abiding love that fills my own, And utter those emotions which within My swelling bosom rise, wnen I behold That mighty ever-moving, restless stream; And thus the glory to myself impart, Which fills the grandest river earth can boast! ii. THE MISSISSIPPI...