B E IN G
U N R H YM E D
L A ND S
R H YM ED
CH A N T S
or
THE
O F T H E GR E A T
AND
L EVE L
W ES T
H A M L IN QA R L A N D W I T H
D RA WIN GS B YT E T CA R P E N T E R
BY
.
CA M B R I DG E
PU B L I SHE D BY
IN
C HICAGO
THE
YEAR
MDC C C ! C I I I
C O PYRI GH T E D
TH I S
1 89 3 BY
I S O F TH E
H A M L I N G A R LA N D
F I RS T E D I T I O N
TO
IN
MY
B R OT HER F R A N K L I N
MEM O RY
O VER W HI C H
O F THE
WE
PR A I RI ES
R OD E TO GE T HER
FO R E W O R D
O ST m od ern m e n , I f a n cy , fi nd
it rat h er d iffi cu lt t o t ake ve rse
I t is s o rest rictive and s o
(not po et ry ! se ri ou sly
m on oton ou s i n comp ariso n w it h t h e flexibility of
"
p rose t h at it f o r ev er h am p ers and bi nds i n t h e
/
man s large r feeling P ro se s ee m s t o b e d raw in g off
al l t h at i s most m ode rn and free s t an d m ost ch ar
ac t e r i s ti c of ou r A m e r i é a n civilizat ion
1 d o n ot
e x pect t h e refore t o H ave t h ese ve rses t ak en t o
r ep re s ent my large r w% r k
A qu arte r of a c erft u ry ago t h e p rai ries of N o rt h
ern I o w a w e re o nly j ust w o n from t h e e lk and
b uffalo w h ose b on es and antlers lay i n t h ou sand s
be s id e eve ry t rail and wateri ng p lace These rich
and S pl endid m eadow s h ad sw armed w it h h erbivora
fo r ages of u ndist u rbed p osses sion a nd eve ry
cru mblin g crib of b on es o r b leach in g ant le r w as a
powerfu l i n centive to a boy s i m agi n atio n F ro m
th e m my mi nd was able to co nstruct so m e idea of
t he grandeu r of th e flock s w h ich o n ce p eopled th ese
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gree n vistas E ve n t he n I felt t h e be auty of t he
wilder ness w hic h i s comin g t o h ave d eepe r c ha rm
as it p asses i rrecove rably f ro m sig h t
Th e p rairies are not t h e p lains Th e pl ai ns do
not begi n u ntil you reach t h e M issou ri rive r an d b e
gin t o clim b toward t h e R ocky M ou ntai ns T h ese
verses h ave t o d o w it h b ot h pl ai n s a nd p rai ries
though t h e wild p rai ries are nearly gon e Th e ve g
e
t a t i o n di ffers w ildly as w ill b e evident fro m allu
sion s t h rou ghout t h is vol u m e Th e pl ain s are
m ai nly clot h ed i n a s h ort h air li ke grass w hi ch
cu re s e arly i n t h e stock and is ru sset i n colo r du r
in g m ost of t h e year
The p rai ries we re ri ch i n gra s s e s Blue j oi nt
crows foot and w ild o ats S u nflowers and i n n u m
crable and b rilliant flowers grew i n t h e beau t ifu l
m eadows out of w h ich g roves of p opp le and h azel
bu shes rose like isl ands o ut of sh allow seas
Th ese p rai ries w ere i nte rsected by b eautiful
st reams b elted i n s ple ndid groves of oak s and
m aples and b asswood t rees Th e p rai ries we re gen
e r a ll y level with l ong swell s l ike a quiet s e a b ut i n
th e neighbo rhood of st ream s t h ey grew m o r e
varied and w ooded
Over su c h p rai rie grasses arou nd su ch t ow h e ads
of poppl e t rees my b rot he r a nd I rode raci n g wit h
h alf wild h orses ch asin g t h e wild fo x an d t h e p rai rie
wolf spying o ut t h e M assasauga i n t h e grass and
m u n ch ing h azel nuts i n lee of h azel t hi ckets o n cold
N ovembe r d ays Those we re gloriou s d ays
l h ave lived many p h ases of life b ut t h ose few
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years am ong t h e colts and cattl e of t he p rai ries b e
fore settleme nt closed t h e cows wild p ast u re and
stabled t he h o rses are am ong my h ap piest r ec o ll e c
tions
Th e p rai ries a re gone I h eld o n e of t h e ri pp i ng
sn arlin g b reaki ng p lows t h at rolled t he h az el bu shes
an d t h e wild su nflowe rs u nd e r I s a w t h e wild
steers com e i nt o p astu re and t h e w ild colts com e
u nde r h arn ess I saw t h e w ild fow l s catte r and t u rn
aside ; I saw t h e black s o d b u r s t i nt o gold and
lavende r h arvests of wh eat and co rn—and s o t h ere
comes i nto my remi niscen ces a n u n mi s takable note
of s ad ness I d o n ot e x cuse it o r con ceal it I s et
it d ow n as it co mes t o m e I h ave designedly e x
cl uded all t h ings alie n t o t h e book an d its t itl e I
m ake n o fu rt he r cl ai m t h an t his ;—it i s com posed of
p rai rie songs
H A M L I N G A R LA N D
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A T ABLE O F T H E C O N T EN T S O F TH IS
P
R A I RI E
MEM O RI ES
17
C O M I N G R A I N O N T H E PR AI RI E
21
M A S S A S AU G A—T H E ME ADOW R ATT L E S N A K E
S PRI NG
O N T H E PR A I RI E
A S O NG
OE
W IN D S
I N D I A N S U MME R
23
24
25
C O LO R I N T H E W H E A T
T HE ME A DO W LA R K
26
27
T HE H U SH O F T HE P LA I N S
PI O N EER S
29
SE TTL E R S — P O R T R A I T
L I N ES
PR A I RI E
EI RES
AT DU S K
31
35
OE
36
T HE PI N ES
C O RN S H ADOW S 3 9
T HE HER ALD C R A N E
S U N DOW N
30
32
A W I N T ER B R OO K
T HE V O I C E
28
41
43
I N T HE AUTU MN G R A S S
44
37
D RE A M S O F T HE GR A S S
M E ADOW M EM O RI ES
45
46
T HE W HI P P OO R W I L L S H OU R
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A S U MM ER M OO D
ATA VI S M
47
48
49
I N A LU LL I N T HE S P L EN DO RS
T H E P A S S IN G O F T H E B U FF ALO
A N A P O LO GY
57
I L LU S T R AT I O N
58
H O ME F R O M T H E C I T Y
A PRI L DA YS
60
B Y T H E RI VE R
61
I L LU S T R A T I O N
62
A M OU N TA I N SI D E
64
-
65
I N A UGU S T
T HE B LU E
J AY
T H E M OU N TA I N S
M Y CA B I N
66
67
70
B EN E AT H T HE PI N ES
71
T H E S T RI PE D G O PHER
T H E PR A I RI E
To
A RI VE R G O RGE
78
R E TU RN
TH E w
81
75
77
ALT R U I SM
E A R L Y M AY
73
T H E CI TY
A H U M A N H A B I TAT I O N
or
59
a s
79
74
OE
53
B R A HM S
T HE W IN D S V O I C E
82
’
O N T HE MI SSI S SI PPI
83
A B R OT HER S D E AT H S E A R C H
84
’
SPR IN G R A IN S
A
D A K OTA
86
H A RVES T m m
T H E N OO N DA Y P L A I N
MI D N I GH T SN OW S
89
91
I N S TA C KI N G T I ME
93
PR A I RI E C H I C KEN S
95
-
A TOWN
T HE P LA I N
OE
87
I N T H E G O LD C OU N T RY
97
98
H O ME F R O M W I LD ME A DOW S
EI G HT I N G F I RE
1 01
B O YI SH S L EEP
1 02
T HE HER D SM A N
1 03
R U SHI NG E A G L E
S EP T EM B ER
1 07
T H E S TAM PE D E
SP O R T
1 05
1 09
1 10
T H E C OO L GR A Y
T HE G R A Y WO L F
1 13
P LOW IN G
115
A T RI B UT E
OP
M OO D S
T H E P LA I N
OE
111
JUG
GR A SSES
LO S T IN A N O R T HE R
I LLU S T R AT I O N
1 24
1 16
117
1 19
99
LAD R O NE
1 25
I L LU S T R AT I O N
1 30
A C R O S S T HE PI C KE T L I N E
T H EN I T S S PRI N G
13 1
1 33
’
LO G A N AT PE A C H T REE C REEK
P A I D H I S WA Y
1 36
H O RSES C H AW I N H A Y
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GR OW I NG O LD
A
EA R ME R S
PO M
PO M,
,
1 42
WI FE
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139
1 45
P UL L AWA Y
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G O I N B A C K T M O RRE R
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O N W I NG
OE
MY PR A I R I E S
S TEAM
1 47
1 49
1 53
1 55
M I DWA Y O N TH E T R A I L
1 57
HGRIES
W I D E cloud p eopled su m m e r sk y ;
S ea d riftin g grasses rustlin g reeds
W h e re you n g grou se t o t hei r m ot hers
cry
A nd locu st s pi pe from w histli n g weeds ;
Broad m eadows lying li ke l agoons
Of su n n iest w aters o n w h ose sw ell s
Float noddin g bloom s t o ti n kl in g b el ls
Of b ob o l i n k u m s w ildest tu nes ;
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F ar w est w inds b ringin g odo rs fresh
From mou ntain s clot h ed as m on arch s are
I n royal robes of ice and sn ow
W h ere sto rm s are b red i n t h u nder j ar ;
L and of co rn and w heat an d kin e
W h ere plenty fills t h e h and of h i m
W h o fi lls t h e soil o r p ru n es t h e vin e
Or digs i n t hy far cano ns di m
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My Western land I love t h ee yet !
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I n d ream s I ride my h orse agai n
A n d b rea s t t h e b reezes blowi ng fleet
F rom ou t th e m eadows cool and w et
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PR A I RI E S O N G S
F rom fields of flo w ers blowi ng sw eet
A nd flingi n g p e rf u m e t o t h e b reeze
Th e wild o ats swirl alo ng t h e plain ;
I feel t h ei r d as h agai nst my k nees
Lik e rapid p l as h of ru n ni ng se as
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I p as s by islands d ark and t all
Of sl e nde r p opl ars t hi ck w it h leaves
Th e grass i n ru stling ri ppl e cleaves
To left an d right i n e me rald flow ;
A nd as I liste n ri din g slow
Out b reaks t h e w ild bi rd s j ocu nd c all
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Oh sh in in g S u n s of b oyh ood s ti m e I
O h wi nds t hat f rom t h e m yt h ic w est
S an g c all s t o E ldo rado s qu est 1
O h sw ayi ng w ild b i rd s t h ri llin g c h i me 1
W h en t h e l ou d city s cl angi n g roar
W ra p s i n m y sou l as if i n S h roud s
I he a r t hos e sou nds and so ngs o nce m ore
A n d d r eam of boy h o od s w ind swe pt clouds
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P R AI RI E S O NG S
T H E W E ST W I N D
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O h ! t he w i nd is abroad i n t h e h ollows
A nd a sw ee p o n t h e swells of t h e p lain
Wh ere t h e du n gras s t osses and w allows
An d t h e h azel b us h s h ak es as i n p ai n
W it h a p etul ant ai r and a s h iver
Of fright an d of p ai n
Wh ile t h e b road b reeze st ream s like a rive r
A nd r oa r s like a far off m ai n
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T h e wid e waves restless but wear y
R oll o n t o t h e h alf h id s u n
H ear t h e rush !
H ear th e roar !
H ear t h e m u rmu r !
S ee t he s wift wave s seri ally ru n
Like fowls f rom t h e eagl e s S wift wings !
To t h e bowed e ar s h earing t h ere com es
Th e sou nd of fa r h arpi ng of h arp st ri ngs
T h e noise of dim p i pi ngs and d ru ms
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Oh ! m agic west w ind of t h e p rai rie !
H ow h e leap s i n h is might !
N O bou nd aries kn ows h e o r cares h e
N o day and n o night
H is footstep s grow w ea r y neve r
H e i s h e re !
H e is t he re !
N o w he h arries t h e clouds in t h e ai r
N o w he t ram ples t h e grass i n his flight
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P RAI RI E S O N G S
B ut w h et her i n s p rin g o r i n su m me r
O r i n aut u m n s gray s h ad ow o r s hi n e
C hai nless and care free is h e
A s a fau n i n a riot of w in e
H e is l ord of th e w h ol e sky s h ollow ;
H e p ossesses t h e w h ole vast p l ai n ;
H e l ea d s and t h e w ild clouds follow
H e f row n s and t h ey vanish i n r ai n !
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PR A I RI E S O N G S
M A S S A S A U G A —T H E M E A D O W
R A TT L ES N A ! E
A cold coil ed lin e of m ottl ed lead
H e li es w h ere gr azi n g cattle t read
A n d lift s a fan ged and S pitefu l h ead
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H is t ou c h is deadly and his eye s
A re h ot w it h h at red and su rp rise
D eat h w aits and w at ch es w h ere h e lies !
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H is h at e is t u rn ed t oward e veryt h ing !
H e is t h e u ndisp uted k ing
Of eve ry p at h and w ood land sp rin g
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n aked fang is raised t o s mite
All p assi ng t hi ngs ; light
I S n ot s wi fte r t h an h is bit e
H is
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t ou ch is d eadly and h is eyes
A re h ot wit h h at red and su rp ris e
De at h w a its an d w atc h es W h e re h e lies !
H is
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Hi e
N D t h e fields grew gree n
W it h t h e mighty myste ry
Of sp ringing grai n ;
Th e p oplar t rees b u r s t int o yellow leaf
Th e o ak l eaves p ricked lik e a squ i rrel s ear
A nd i n th e m ellow grou nd s th e p l ante r st rode ;
Th e bi rds p ai red off and ne s t ed
Th e h o rses fed o n t h e su n ny S lopes
W h e re t h e crocu s bloom ed and t h e e arly grasses
Y ielded t h ei r sweet s t o t h e cattle s lip s ;
A nd lik e some p eerle s s overt u re t h e va s t
S weet S ym p h ony t h e w ild ch i ck e ns san g at d awn
Died away t o a S ingle n ote
A nd geni al sp ring wa s me rged i n sult ry su m mer
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PR A I R I E S O N G S
A SO N G OF W I N DS
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Wi nds from t he p rai ries w he re w ild w eeds S h iver
Wi nd s f r om t h e po pp le t rees qu ick l eaves quiver
W h e re th e blith e chi ck en s boo m and s h rill f rogs
ch im e
O w i nds from my b oyh ood s far away tim e
I w ait fo r you lon g for you he re i n th e t ow n !
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F illed wit h t h e me mo ry of grasses and t rees
I lo ng fo r my p rai rie s as a sailor love s se as ;
I he ar i n red m orn ings t h e wild chi cken s c allin g
I hear at still n oo ni n g t h e bu gle n ot e fallin g
F ro m c rane s weepi n g by i n t h e fat h o mle ss s k y
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I lon g o h ! I l ong t o lie i n t h e stubble
Clo s e by t h e creek w h er e t h e cool w aters b ubble
Lo ngi ng t o lose i n a d ream all m y ca re
F eelin g t h e su m m er w inds kissing m y h air
H earing t h e w ill ows s h ak e ove r m y h ead !
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SUMM
ER
L A ST t h ere cam e
The sudden fall of frost
wh en Tim e
D reami ng th rough ru s set S ept embe r days
S uddenly awoke and lifting h is head st rode
S wiftly forward — m ade o ne va s t d e solatin g sweep
Of h i s s cyt he t h en rapt wit h th e glo ry
Th at b u rned u nde r h i s feet fell d ream ing agai n
A nd th e cloud s s oared and t h e crickets san g
I n t h e b rief h eat of noo n ; t h e corn
S o green grew se re and d ry
A nd i n th e mi s t the p lou gh m an s te am
M oved s ilently a s if i n d ream
A nd it w a s I ndian su m me r on t h e plain
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PR A I R IE S O N G S
C O L O R IN TH E
WH EAT
Lik e liqu id gold t h e w h eat fi eld lies
A m arvel o f yellow and green
That rip p l e s and ru n s t h at floats and fli es
W it h t he subtl e S h adows t he ch ange— t he s h ee n
T h at p lays i n t he golden h ai r of a gi rl
A cloud fli es t he re
A ripp le O f ambe r—a flare
Of light follows afte r A s w i rl
I n t he h ol low s like t h e t w i nkling feet
Of a fai ry waltze r t h e colo rs ru n
To t h e we s te rn s u n
T h ro ug h t h e deep s of t h e ripe nin g wh eat
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I h ear t h e reape rs far off h u m
S o fai nt and fa r it s ee m s t h e dro ne
Of bee or beetle ; seem s to com e
F ro m far o ff f ragrant f ru ity zo n e
A land of pl e nty w h e re
Toward t he s u n a s h a s ting t h ere
Th e colo rs ru n b efo re t he W i nd s feet
I n th e w h eat
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T h e wild h aw k s woop s
To h is p rey i n t he deeps ;
The s u n fl o w e r d roop s
T O t he l azy w ave ; t h e wind S lee ps
T h e n ru n ni n g i n d azzli ng l i nk s and loo p s
A ma rvel of S h adow and sh ine
A glo ry of olive an d ambe r and w i n e
R u n s t h e colo r i n t h e w h eat
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THE
MEADOW LAR!
B R A V E little bi rd t h at fear s
n ot G od
A voice t h at b re aks f r o m t he
s n ow wet clod
Wit h p roph ecy of su n ny s o d
S et t hick w it h wi nd waved golde n rod
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Fr o m t h e fi rst b are clod i n t h e raw cold sp ri ng
F rom t h e l ast bare clod w h e n fall w i nd s stin g
The farm boy h ears hi s b rave s on g rin g
w ork fo r t h e time is a pleasant t h in g
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PR A I RI E S O NGS
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TH E H U S H OF T H E P L A I N S —J U L Y
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As so me vast orch est ra liste n i ng w aits
Fu ll breat hed and tense i n a s udden lu ll
Wit h o nly th e string b ass t h robbi n g o n
R eady at fall of t h e le ade r s w and
To b reak i nt o s oft sl ow swell
SO t h e plain lies h u sh ed and du mb as deat h
S ongless and sou ndl ess
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N o cricket s fill t h e p au se wit h w h i r r
N O bird w akes a n ot e o r sti rs a w i ng
On ly t h e fl u t e li ke n ot e of t h e I ar k so u nd s
O nly t h e fl a s hin g i n audible wi n g of t h e gu ll m oves
All else w aits list ens
O nly t h e w id e w ind d ron in g o n
W ide as t h e pl ai n vagu ely va s t
T h e st ri ng b ass t h r obbi ng dimly o n
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P RA I R I E S O N GS
S E TT L E R S
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Above t he m soars a d azzling s k y
I n winter blu e and clear as stee l
I n s u m me r like an arctic se a
W herei n great i cebergs d rift and reel
A nd melt like s udde n so r ce ry ;
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B en eath t he m pl ain s st retch far and fai r
R ich wit h su n light an d w it h rai n ;
V ast h arve s ts rip e n wit h t h ei r c are
A nd fill wit h ove rplu s O f grai n
Th ei r squ are great bins ;
Y et still t hey s t rive
I see t h e m ris e
At daw n light goin g fo rt h t o t oil ;
Th e s am e salt sweat h a s filled my ey es ;
M y feet h ave t rod t h e self sam e soil
Beh in d t h e s n arl ing s h are
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PRA I R I E
FI R E S
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A cu rving leap ing lin e of lig ht
A c rackli ng roar f rom l u rid lu ngs
A wild flus h o n t h e S kies of n ight
A fo rce t h at gnaw s wit h h ot red ton gues
Th at l eaves a b lacken ed s m oki ng sod
A fi e ry fu rn ace w h ere t h e c attle t rod
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W I D E d u n land w he re t h e fi erce
S u n s sm ite
A nd t h e wind i s a f u rn ace
b reath
W he re th e beautiful sky h a s a S in iste r light
A nd t h e eart h lies d re ad and dry as d eat h ;
W he re t h e s o d lies sco rch in g and w an grass sig h s
A nd t h e hot red m orni n g h as n o b ird s
0 son gless s u n s et l and ! I cl o s e m i n e eyes
I n shee r d e s p ai r of thy dim reach
0 l evel w aste ! s o lon e t h ou art n o word s
C an tell n o p ictu res t eac h
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
A p resen ce like a cu rse ! n o i nsects h u m
N o chi rpin g c rickets ch eery rin g
A w h ite mist w all of bou ndin g S p ac e
F lecked wit h t h e s wift gull s flutte rin g
Alo n e confro nt s t h e askin g face !
N o t ree stand s gree n against th e s k y
Th e h aw k swim s i n t h e bl azin g ai r
H e scarce can fi n d (t h ough keen h is eye !
A h u m an h eart b eat anyw h ere
’
-
’
,
,
.
33
34
PR AI RI E S O NG S
h ot and lo ne th e plai n—O G od !
T h e very b reeze s faint and die
Along t h e bu rnin g h o peless s od
W he re sere gra s s ru s tles su ll enly
Al l creatu res t u r n an aski ng eye
To w h ere t h e radiant heaven s soar
I n cloudles s S pl endor— a c ry
Bu rst s f rom t h e b itte n l i p —d ea t hw is e
Th e despe rat e h usb andm e n with h an ds
Outsp read clutch at t h e du st
Th eir h arvest wi the rs w h ere it stands
A nd bu rn s to a s h es w h ile t h ey t ru st !
50
.
,
,
.
!
A
A A
Q
lie
Ben eat h t h e sky
Thick sow n wit h clouds t h at soar and float
Like st ately swans u po n t he ai r
A nd i n t h e h u s h of du sk I h ear
Th e ring dove s plai ntive liquid not e
S o u n d fai ntly a s a p raye r
N D O L EN T
-
,
’
-
.
A gainst t h e yellow s k y
Th e grazi n g kin e stal k sl owly by ;
Lik e w ing s t h at sp read and float and flee
Th e clouds are d riftin g over m e
The cou ch in g cattle s igh
A nd fro m t h e m eadow d amp and da r k
I h ear t h e p ipin g of t h e l ark ;
W hile falling night h awks sc ream and boo m
Like rocket s t h rough th e risi n g gloo m
A nd katydids with p auseless chi m e
Bear o n t h e far frogs ri nging rhym e
.
,
-
,
,
’
.
35
,
36
PR AI RI E S O NGS
A W I N T E R B R OO !
.
H ow s w eetly you san g as you ci rcled
Th e elm s rugged k nees i n th e s o d
I k now ! fo r deep i n t h e S h ade of y ou r willow s
A barefooted boy w it h a rod
I l a y i n t h e d rowsy J u ne weath er
A nd sleepily w histled i n t u n e
To t h e lau ghte r I heard i n you r sh allow s
I nvolv ed wit h t h e m usic of J u ne
’
,
,
,
,
,
38
P RAI R I E S O N G S
A nd w h en t h e autu mn S ky is d ull and wild
W h e n j agged cloud s st r ea m sw iftly by
W he n t h e sleet falls i n slant t o r rents
W h en t hy d rip pin g arms o utsp r ead are d rea r
A nd h arsh w it h c old a nd r ai n
T h en t hy voice 0 pin es is ste rn and w ild ;
T h y sigh b ecom es a vengefu l m o an an d sn a r l
A voic e o f stormy i ne x p r es sibl e an gu is h
T i med to t h e swee p of thy t ossi ng b oug h s
! eyed to t h e desol ate gray of t h e ragged S ky
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
Waili n g w a ili ng !
O vast i lli m itable w ai l of t h e pi nes
Th e c hill w as h of swift d ark st reams
T he j oyl es s da ys t h e lon ely n ights
H un gry n oo ns fu neral t rai ns with t rappi ngs of
s abl e
Th e b u r ial c h ants with cl od s fal li ng i n t h e grave
All t h e m eas u rel es s and ete rn al in h e ritan ce o f grief
A ll t h e i n e fi a b l e w oe w h ich h a s O p p ressed my race
A l l t h e t ragedy I h ave felt
W it h a l l t h at my an cestors h ave felt
C om es b ack t o m e h ere
B orn e o n t h e w in gs of th in e ete rnal wail
B lent i n t h e flow
Of t h in e i n co m mu ni cable sorrow
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
I T H h eart grow n weary of
t h e he at
A n d h u ngry fo r th e b reat h
Of field and farm wit h
eager feet
I t rod t h e p ave m ent d ry a s d eat h
Th rou gh city st reets w h e re vice i s bo r n
A nd sudden lo ! a ridge of co rn !
,
,
,
,
,
A bove th e d in gy roofs it stood
A dom e of tossing t angled spears
D ark cool and sweet a s any wood
I t s silke n gree n and p l um ed ears
Laugh ed on m e t h rou gh t h e h aze of morn
T h e t ranquil p resen ce of t h e corn
,
,
,
,
.
Upon t h e salt wind from t he s ea
Born e w estw ard swift as d ream s
Of b oyh ood are I s eem ed t o b e
On ce mo re a p art of sou nds and gleam s
Th row n o n m e by t h e w ind s of m or n
A mid t h e ru stli n g row s of co m
,
.
39
40
PR A I R I E S O N G S
I b ared my h ead and o n m e fell
Th e old wild wizard ry again
Of le af and S ky t h e m ovi ng s p e l l
Of boy hood s easy j oy o r p ai n
W he n p u m p ki n t ru m p w as S iegfried s h orn
E choin g down t h e walls of c o m
,
,
’
,
’
.
I s a w t he field (as t rackless t h en
A s w ood t o D aniel Boo ne !
W h e rei n w e h u nted w olves and men
A nd ranged an d twanged t h e gree n bassoo n
(N ot blit h er R obi n H ood s m erry h o rn
Than p u m p ki n vi ne amid th e corn !!
’
I n ce nt ral deep s t h e melons l ay
S low swelli ng i n t h e A ugu st su n
I t raced agai n t h e n arro w w ay
A nd j oi ned agai n t h e st ealthy ru n
Th e j ack o lantern w raith w as born
W it h in t h e sh adows of t he co rn
.
-
’-
.
wide west w ildern ess of leaves !
0 p laym ates far aw ay ! ove r t hee
T h e slow w ind like a m ou rn e r grieves
A nd sti rs t h e p lu m ed ears like a s e a
W ould w e could sou nd agai n th e h o rn
I n vast s weet p rese n ce of t h e co r n !
0
,
,
.
HERALD
CRANE
you so bold
t h e su n lit deep s
sa y ,
In
,
-
D ost t hou so soo n t h e seed tim e t ell
I n t hy i mp erial cry
A s circli ng i n yon s h oreless s e a
Thi n e u n see n form goes d riftin g by !
-
,
I can not t race i n t he noo n day glare
Thy regal flight 0 cran e !
From t h e leapin g might of t h e fi ery light
M in e eyes recoil i n p ai n
But on m in e ear t hin e ech oing c ry
F alls like a b ugle st rain
-
,
,
,
.
Th e m ellow soil glows ben eat h my feet
Wh ere l ies t h e bu ried grain ;
The w arm light floods t h e len gt h and breadt h
Of t h e vast dim shi m merin g pl ain
T h robbin g with h eat an d t h e n am eless t h rill
Of t h e bi rth ti me s restless p ain
,
,
,
-
,
’
.
41
42
P R A I RI E S O NGS
O n weary w ing plebeian geese
P us h o n t h ei r arrowy li ne
S t raight i nto t h e n o rt h o r sn owy b rant
I n dazzli n g su nsh i ne gl oo m and Sh in e ;
B ut t hou O c ran e s ave for t hy s ove reign c ry
At t hy m aj est i c h eigh t
O n p roud exte nded wi ngs Sw ee p st o n
I n lo nely e aseful fl ight
,
,
,
,
,
,
’
,
.
,
T h e n c ry t h ou m a rt i al t h roat ed h e rald
C ry t o t h e s u n and sw ee p
A nd swi ng alon g thy mateless t ireless cou rs e
Ab ove t he clou ds t h at sleep
Afloat o n lazy ai r—c ry o n
S end dow n
Thy t ru m p et n ote — it seems
Th e voice of h op e and d au nt less will
A n d breaks t h e sp el l of d reams
-
,
,
,
,
.
SUNDOWN
T WA S s un dow n and
royal rive r
D r op pin g south w a r d to t h e
,
sea ,
W it h r ip p II n grus h and serial sh iver
Of s m all w aves i n t h e reedy sedges
S wept rou nd it s yello w limesto ne l edges ;
A nd t h e far off p ul s i ng cam e t o m e
Of a negro b oatm an s m elody
Like a silve ry w ind blow n vai l
Th e sh i m m ering m ist lay o n t h e h eights
S t ru ck t h rough and th rough by t he l e ve l sh afts
Of th e risin g S p otles s o range m oon
Th e bitte rn b oom ed f ro m t h e sh adowy m ars h
Th e cu rlew p iped i n l on eso m e c ry
A nd th e frog s from t h e rive r m ade reply
Th e m a s s and d ept h an d mystery
Of t h e rive r deepen ed t ill its flood
S eemed m agi cal
I ts w eight of d ark
U n re s ti ng w aters w as s o S wift so b road
I t seemed a s if som e p ri s oned s ea
Were slipp i ng by m e h u rriedly
,
-
’
.
-
,
,
.
,
,
.
,
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,
,
.
44
PR AI R I E S O NGS
IN
T H E A U TU MN G R A SS
.
Did you eve r lie low
I n t h e dept h of t h e pl ai n
I n t h e lee o f a s well t h at lift s
L ik e a low lyi ng island out of t h e s ea
W he n t h e b lu e j oint sh akes
A S an army of spears ;
W h en each fl as hing w ave b reaks
I n t u rn overh ead
A nd w a l l s i n t h e d oo r of you r ears !
,
-
,
I f y ou h ave you h ave h eard
I n t h e midst of t h e roar
T h e n ote of a lon e gray bi rd
B lown S l antwise by over h ead
A s h e swiftly sped
To his sout h land h aven once mo r e !
,
,
,
-
t h e m u si c ab road i n t h e ai r
With t h e autu m n wi nd sweepi ng
H is h and o n t h e gras s w here
The t i n iest b l a de is asti r keep ing
V oi ce i n t h e dim w ide ch oi r
O f t h e i nfi n ite son g , t h e refrain
T h e wild sa d w ail of t he plain
0
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
46
P RA I R I E S O NG S
M E A D O W MEM O R I ES
.
0 M em o ry ,
wh at conj u ry is th i ne !
On ce m o re t h e s u n S hi n es on t h e W h eat
On ce m o re I d ri n k t h e wi nd l ike wi n e
W h e n bu rsts t h e l ark s son g wildly sweet
F r o m out t h e rain wet n ew m ow n gras s ;
I h ear t h e sickle s clatte ri ng sweep
A nd p eals of l au ghte r swell and p ass
F rom li p t o li p ; again I h ea p
Th e odo rou s wi nd rows ran k by ran k
S ile nt t h e ra n c u o u s tu m u lt of th e st reet
From i ro n p avem ent s c easeles s clank
F ro m g
ri nding h ooves and j ar of car
I flee and lave m y b oyis h feet
W h e re b ee lodged clover blossom s are !
’
-
-
-
,
’
,
-
.
,
,
,
-
T H E W H I P P OO R W I LL S H O U R
-
’
-
.
T h e cool sw eet ai r
T h e dark fern scent ed w oods
Th e b reath of o ak and pi ne
Th e fire —
fl ie s in t h e grass
Th e chi rp of sleepy crickets
Th e son g of th e t h ru sh
A lu ll aby of st ream s
Th e u nutterabl e cool ne s s and sweet ness
Th e odor of ap p le bloom s and grass
Th en from t h e f ragrant d us k of p in e s
Th e wh ip poor will p uts forth h is slende r
,
-
,
,
,
,
,
,
-
-
47
48
PR AI R I E S O N G S
A S UMM E R M OO D
.
O to b e lost i n t h e wi nd a nd t h e su n
To b e on e wit h t h e w ind an d t h e s t ream !
W ith n eve r a care w hil e t h e w aters ru n
Wit h neve r a t hou ght i n my d re am
To b e p a rt of t h e To b in s l ilti ng call
And p a rt of t h e b ob olin k s rhyme
Lyi ng close t o t h e S hy t h ru sh si nging alon e
A nd lap ped i n t h e c ri c ket s c h im e
,
,
.
’
’
.
,
’
.
O t o l ive wi t h t hese beautifu l o n es !
W it h t h e lu st and t h e glory of m an
L ost i n t h e ci rcuit of S p r ing tim e s u n s
S ub missive as e a rt h an d p a rt of h e r p l an
T o lie as t h e s nake lies co nte nt i n t h e grass
To d rift as t h e cl ouds d rift e fl o rt l e s s f r ee
Gl ad of t h e powe r t h at drives t he m o n
W it h n eve r a quest io n of wi nd o r sea
,
-
,
,
,
.
,
O MET I MES, rangi ng t h e
u pland sod
A l ean lon e stee r comes
su dd enly u po n
A t race of bloo d — Like a h ou nd h e stop s
A nd w h eel s s n u fll i n gt h e earth
H i s eyes roll s avagely h is n ost rils exp and
A nd his w ri nk led n eck sti ff en s H e p aws
Th e grou nd w it h h o rny h oofs H e lifts
H is voice i n a w ild roar t h at e nds
I n a h arsh sc ream
,
,
,
.
,
.
.
.
Th e h erd liste ns still as statues
E ve ry h orn lifted eve ry nostril sp read !
A gai n it comes t h at s cream in g roar
W ild as t h e tige r s food s ick c ry !
A s core of voices echo it and t he n
Th e wh ol e h erd w akes t o act io n
The pl ai n swarm s w it h flyi n g fo rm s
C e nteri ng w it h savage men acin g r u n
To w ards t h e b awli ng sentin el
,
,
,
,
’
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,
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,
.
49
50
P RA I R I E S O N G S
T h e nois e beco mes frightf ul
E ve ry cu rlin g tongu e j oi ns t h e s udden tu m ult
Li o ns a re n ot m ore terrible of voice
T h e dom estic is l ost i n s avagery
T h e s n o rti ng b awli ng roar of h eavy udde red cows
P roclai ms t h e p ower of m emo ry
All f ranti c wit h roused me mory of w ar
A nd fear and h at e of m an and wolf
They ru sh i n ran ks like warriors
Th ei r t ails w ave like pen n on I an ces
.
.
-
,
.
,
.
.
Th e h e rdsm an d ream in g ben eat h t h e Sh in e
Of p oplar t rees sp ri n gs t o h is s addle
A nd s its wo nde ri ng w h ile h i s h o rse
Wit h n ost rils b low n like t ru m p et s
F ro nts t h e scen e h i s eyes
R eflectin g t h e sto rm lik e ru s h
Of t h e t ram p ling h erd
,
,
,
,
-
.
Th e b ulls p aw t h e e a rth ;
Thei r eyes roll and fl am e from t h e d ust
Th ei r h ollow hoofs h ave raised
Th e h e rd s u rge s t o and fro i n m ass
B lind and savage see king an u nsee n cau se
Of som e ancest ral d ange r
,
,
.
,
P R A I RI E S O N G S
51
I N A LU LL I N TH E S P L E ND O R S OF B R A H M S
.
a lul l i n t h e S ple ndo rs of B rah m s
W he n t he p assio nate wail of t he flute
S tru ck du m b by t he st roke of th e d ru m s
Li ke t h e voice of a ch ild san k m ute :
I n t b c second twi xt t h u nder and t hu nde r
I n t h e h us h e re t he w il d m usic cam e
M y sou l flew far t o t h e p lai n
W h ere t h e b lu e s k y arc h ed and wid e land u nder
R olled a s ea of g r asses and growi ng g r ai n
In
,
,
,
’
,
~
,
.
I lay i n t h e r eeds of t h e p rai rie
I n t he h u s h of t he night and I h eard
Th e wande ri n g wi nd swift and w ary
S lip p ing by i n t h e grass like a s n ake
Fai nt clouds floated high i n t h e air
A l on e wolf h owled o n a swell
A b ird i n t he grass seemed t o t remble
A nd se nt o n th e ch im e of th e c rickets
A clear and m ost m arvelou s note
T h at lay i n t h e e a r li ke a p r aye r
,
,
,
,
.
.
52
P RAI R I E S O NG S
T h e di m m oon set !
Th e wolf ce ased h is c r y
Ov erh ead th e far m eteo rs s tream ed redly
A n d d rop p ed d ow n t h e d ark
S outh ern d om e of t h e S ky
Th e c h im e of t h e h id c ri cket st op ped
A s if awed by strange so u nd s i n t h e ai r
A n d t h en as I w aited i n t rance of desi re
W it h t h robb ing s h ut eyes
Th e ear w as aw are
Of sti r i n t h e w id e w ast e of grasses ; a g
l a re
Ove rsh ot t h e gray E ast w it h red fir e
Wit h swellin g vagu e cl amo r
S w ift b eat an d s h rill bl are
B ac k t o t h e h eari n g t h e dee p m u sic cam e
A s out of t h e darkn ess a vast army comes
R oari n g lik e w ind an d wild fl am e
To bu rst i n th e th u nde r of d ru ms !
.
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
54
PR A I R I E S O N G S
T h e h aw k sw ooped above t h em
T h e bl ackbi rd s a t o n t h ei r b acks
I n th e still aftern oon s
I n t h e cool m ud t h ey w allowed
R ollin g i n n oisy s p ort
,
,
,
.
T h ey lived t h rou gh centu ries of st r uggle
I n s w armin g m illion s—t ill t h e w h ite m an c am e
T h e s nows of wi nte r were t er rible !
Th e d r y wi nd w as h ard to b ear
But t h e b reat h of m an t h e s m ok e
Of his gu n w as m ore fatal
,
,
.
Th ey fell by t h ousands
T h ey m elted aw ay l ike s m oke !
M il e by mile t h ey ret reat ed westw ard ;
Y e ar by year t h ey m oved n o rt h and sout h
I n d ust b row n clouds ;
E ac h year t h ey d escen ded u p on t h e p l ai n s
I n e ndl ess fl oods
E ach wi nte r th ey ret reated t o t h e h ills
Of t h e s out h
Th ei r goi ng w as lik e t h e ocea n cu rrent
B ut eac h sp ri ng t h ey st op ped a little s h o rt
Th ey we r e like an eb bi n g tide !
T h ey c am e at l ast t o m eager littl e b ands
Th at n ever left t h e hill s
C r aw ling i n somb re fil es f ro m can on to c an o n
N ow t h ey are gone !
.
-
.
,
,
.
PR A I R I E S O N G S
55
O t h e u nfenced vistas of sod
They fed u p o n !
0 t h e s w eet strange m emories t h ey evoke !
T h e su n lit p rai rie wit h g r oves an d st r eams
T he ri c h gras ses t h e u ndistu rb ed p ri m eval wi ld
A ll gon e all go n e !
S w al low ed u p l o st i r r et r i ev ably
M y h ea rt ac h es wit h lon g
i ng fo r it
-
,
,
,
.
,
.
Go n e t h e w ild t u r key !
G one t h e dee r and ant elope !
P assin g t h e cran e an d t h e p r airie chicken !
P assi n g t h e w ild free s p aces
T h at s w armed with feet an d ech oed with b awl
Of b ull s and savage s n arl of wolves
E nd ed t h e i nfinite d ram a of savage life
P assin g
t h e s eas of h azel b rus h ;
P assi ng t h e p rairi e sod
A nd a l l its wealt h of grass and flowers
T h e swi rlin g c r ow s foot
Th e tossing p lu m es of sn ak e weed
The golde n g r oves of su nflo wers
P assin g never t o ret u rn
.
-
,
’
.
,
,
.
,
t h e r egret of it
0 t h e myst ery and p o w er
Of th e u ntracked land
Th e lu re of w inds f ro m u n kn ow n sp aces
T h e wo nder and p ower of sw ift r ivers
W h ere o nly t h e S hy b eave r b ui lds a d am
0 w ild woods and rivers and u nt r od sweep of sod !
0
-
.
,
,
,
56
PR A I R I E S O NGS
I e xult t h at l h ave k now n yo u !
I h ave felt yo u and wors hiped yo u !
I can n ot b e robbed of t h e m emo ry
Of h or s e and pl ain
A nd bi rd and flowe r
N o r t h e s ong of th e il lim itabl e w est w ind
They are all p art of my life
A n d w hile I live t hey w ill e ndu re
W hen I am old my h eart w ill t h rill
A nd I wi ll say I s a w th e w ild s o d b u r s t
To blosso m before t he city s t ram pl e
D row ned t h e wi nds sweet son g !
,
.
,
.
,
,
’
,
’
PR A I RI E S O NG S
AN
A PO LO G Y
57
.
Th e an cient mi n st rel wh e n tim es b efit
A n d h is song out ran hi s laggard p en
We nt fo rt h i n t h e w orld and ch anted it
I n t h e m arket place t o t h e b u sy m en ;
W h o fou nd full leisu re t o listen and long
Fo r t h e far O fl land of th e m inst rel s s ong
,
,
,
’
-
.
Let m e play min st rel and S i ng t h e li n es
W h ich rise i n my hea rt i n p raise of t h e p lai n !
I ll l ead you w h e re t h e wild oat s h ines
A nd swift cloud s d ap ple t h e w h eat wit h rai n
I f you ll list en you ll h ear t h e songs of bird s
A n d t h e s hudderi ng r oar of t ram pling h e rd s
’
,
.
’
’
,
.
'
Th e b rave b row n l ark from t h e ru s set s o d
Will pi pe as clear as a cu n n ing flute
Thou gh sky and sod are ster n as G od
A nd t h e w ind and plai n lie h ot and mute
Th ou gh t h e gu lls com pl ai n of t h e bl azi n g air
An d t h e grass lies b row n and c risp as h ai r
,
,
.
P R A I RIE S O N GS
H O M E FR O M T H E C I T Y
.
Out of t h e city ou t of t h e street !
Out i n t h e wi nd and t h e grasses
W here t h e bi rd and t h e d aisy wooing
A nd t h e cloud like an eagle p asses
Fa r f r om t h e roari ng st reet
,
,
.
.
Out of t h e h u rry a way f ro m t h e h eat
A nd clamo r of i ro n w h eels and ho oves
Out of t h e sten ch and sco rc hi ng h e at
W e com e as a dove to its n ative r oofs
F ar f rom t he t hu nde rou s st reet
,
,
,
.
I nto th e silen ce of cool b r eath ed leaves
W h e re t h e w i nd like a love r
M u rm u rs and w aits to liste n and weaves
H is arms in t h e leafy cover
Bac k t o a world of stubbl e and s h eaves
We flee f r om t h e m u r de r ou s st reet !
-
,
,
,
59
60
PR A I RI E S O NG S
A PR I L DAY S
.
Days of witc he ry subtly sweet
W h en eve ry h ill and t ree fi nds h eart ;
W h en w i nte r and sp ri ng like lover s meet
I n t h e m ist of n oo n and pa rt
I n t h e Ap ril d ays
,
.
N ights w h e n t h e w ood frogs faintly pe e p
O n e two a nd t h en are still
A nd t h e w ood pecke rs m art ial voices sweep
L ike bugl e blasts f ro m h il l t o h ill
Th rough t h e b reat hle s s m o rn
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,
,
,
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D ays wh en t h e soil is w ar m wit h rain
A nd t h rough t h e wood t he shy w ind steals
R ic h with t he p i ne and t h e popl ar s mell
A nd th e j oyou s b rai n like a d ance r reels
Th roug h A p ril d ays
,
,
.
,
P RAI RI E SONG S
All s ilent save w he n t h e vagab o nd j ay
Fl ashed S wiftly by wit h w il d tc b ee !
S waggeri ng by i n h is e l fis h w ay
,
.
T h e h ot du st d rifts alo ng t h e s t reet
A nd fills t h e ai r wit h a fu rn ace h eat
St ifl in gt h e crowds of h u r ry in g me n
B ut i n my dream ing and ri p p lin g rhy m e
I t is n oo n i n t h e su ltrie s t su m m e r t im e
A nd I a b are legged boy agai n
C an h ear th e low sweet lau gh of t h e river
S ee o n th e w ate r t h e dap pl es a qu ive r
F eel o n my kn ees t h e lip p i ng lap
Of t h e su n ny rip ples s ee t h e sn ake
S li p silently i nto t h e sedgy b rake
A nd h ear t h e ri s ing pi cke rel sl ap
Wit h a rushi ng leap
W h e r e t h e lilies sleep !
,
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63
64
P R AI R I E S O NGS
A M O U N TA I N S I D E
-
.
A h eig h t t h at cu rved lik e a wom an s b reast
A st ream t h at p lu nged i n m ad u n rest
T h rou g h s ull e n s now and gray g ree n gr a ss
A nd fell a t h ou sand feet
B elow t h e m ou nt ai n p as s
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,
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I t s wi ld r oar m i ngled wit h th e m oa n
Of s n arling p in es rooted o n mottl ed sto n e ;
Th e gray clouds bl u rred t he s a ff ro n p e a ks with
s n ow
Ten t h ousand feet above t he v al e b elow
,
=
.
R O M th e great t rees t h e locu st s
I n qu averi ng ecstatic d uo—a
b oy
S h out s a wild c all—a mou rnin g dove
I n t h e blu e distance sob s —t h e wind
Wanders by h eavy w it h odors
Of co rn and w h eat and m el on vi nes ;
T h e t rees t remble with del iriou s j oy as th e
b reeze
G reets t h em on e by on e— now t h e oak
N ow t h e great sycamo re now th e elm
,
,
,
.
,
A nd t h e locusts i n b razen ch oru s cry
Lik e st ricken t hi n gs an d t h e rin g dove s n ote
S obs o n i n t h e dim distan ce
,
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,
.
65
’
66
PR AI R I E S O N G S
T H E B LU E J A Y
.
H is eye is b right as b u rnish ed st eel
H is n ote a qu ick defi ant c ry ;
H ars h as a h in ge his gratin g squeal
S ou nd s f ro m t h e keen wind sweepi ng by
,
R ain s n eve r d i m h is s moot h b lu e coat
Th e w i nte r n ever t rou bles h im
N o fog p ut s h oarsen ess i n h is t h roat
O r m akes h is m erry eyes grow di m
H is c ry at mo rning i s a s h ou t
H is wi ng i s s ubj ect to his h ea rt
Of fear h e k n ow s not—d oubt
D id n ot d raw h is s ailin g c h art
,
.
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.
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H e is an u nive rsal e migre ;
H is foot i s set i n eve ry land
H e greets m e by gray C asco b ay
A nd l augh s ac ross t h e Te x as sand
I n h eat o r cold i n storm o r su n
H e lives u nfeari ngly and w h en h e dies
H e folds h is feet u p o n e by o n e
A n d tu rn s a last look at t h e s kies
.
,
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,
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H e is t h e t ru e A me rican ! H e fea rs
N o j ou rney and n o wood o r w all
A nd i n th e dese rt t oiling voyagers
T ak e h ea rt of cou r age f r o m h is call
,
,
.
.
THE M
OUNTAINS
t h e m ou nt ain s face t h e p l ain
E ve r t h e pl ai nsm an s longin g
eyes
Tu r n t o t h e distant p eaks
V ER
,
’
.
t h e w arm m o rn in g s wh en t h e lark
W histles fro m cool sage gr ee n c l o s e cu rli ng g
rass
W h e n n ot a clou d stai n s t h e s k y
T h en t h e m ou nt ain s stand fo rt h
W arm s h arply outli n ed
Wearin g a time wo rn clo ak of p u r p l e r ock
A nd dark green p in es
In
,
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T h ey d r aw n ear th e p lain
They see m close i ntim ate p rosaic
E ve ry h ollow and w ri n kle is d isp layed
E v ery r as p and ravage of wind and f rost
I s see n eve ry can o n seems e m ptied
O f its mystery and colo r
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,
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.
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,
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,
68
PR A IRI E S O NG S
B ut as t h e s u n S wings w est
A spl endid robe of roy al blu e
D rops ove r t h e distant p eaks
A nd l ow ers an d dee pen s
A n d grows rich e r an d rich er
Till t h e w hol e m ighty grou p i s arrayed
I n p u rpl e S pl endid d istan ce
,
,
.
T h ey w it hd raw i nto col or and dept h
Like demigods ;
T h ey lift t h eir h ead s lik e t h ose
W h o wear c row n s ;
T h ey b egi n at t h e plai nsm an s feet
T h ey end i n sp ace w h ere d ream s a r e
Wh ere s cars becom e h eroic hi s to ry
W h ere silen ce reigns i n m aj esty like d eat h
A S t h e s u n si nks
Th e canon s deepe n i n colo r
Addin g myste ry to sile nce They becom e awfu l
deep s
W h ere stu pendou s cats and great b irds
M ove ab out t h e st rang e w alls
C arved and h ollowed by w ate r
Caves ya w n w ide r as nig h t t hickens
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Th e lo n e t ravele r lyi n g beneat h
Th e silent pi nes on s om e high range
W atc h es and liste ns i n e cstacy of fear
A n d exalted admi ration
,
,
.
70
PR A I RI E S O NG S
MY C A B I N
.
M y cabi n cowers i n t h e o nw ard swee p
Of t h e te rrible n o rt h e rn b l ast ;
Above its r oof t h e wild cl ouds l eap
A nd sh ri ek as t h ey h u rry p ast
Th e sn ow waves h iss along t h e pl ain
Li ke h u ng ry wolves t hey st ret ch and st rai n
Th ey race and rom p w it h ru s hi ng b eat ;
Lik e ste althy t re ad of my ri ad feet
T h ey p a s s t h e doo r Up o n t h e roof
T h e i cy sh owe rs swi rl a nd r attl e
At t imes t h e m oo n t h ou gh far al oo f
T h rough w i nd s and sn ow i n f u ri ou s b attle
S h in es w h ite and w an w ith i n t h e room
T h e n S w ift clou ds d a rt across t he lig h t
A nd all t h e pl ai n i s lost to sight ;
Th e cabi n ro cks an d o n m y p al m
T h e sifted s now falls cold an d c al m
,
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,
God! w h at a p ower is i n th e w ind !
I l ay my ear t o t h e cabin sid e
T o feel th e weig h t of t h ose gi ant h ands ;
A speck a fly i n t h e bl asti ng tide
Of st reamin g p itiless i cy s an ds
A si ngl e h ea rt wit h its feeb le beat
A m ouse i n t h e lion s th roat
A swim m er at sea—a su nb eam s mote
I n t h e st r en gt h of a te mpest of b a il and sleet !
-
,
,
,
’
’
S UN LE S S
deeps of no rt h e rn
p ine s I
O b road s now lade n a r m s
of fi r !
Di m aisl es w h ere wolves slip to and fro
A n d noisele s s Wild deer swiftly ski rr !
0 h om e of wi nd son gs w ild and grand
A s su it s t hy mighty st rains 0 h arp
O n w h ich t h e N o rt h Wind l ays his h and !
I wal k t hy pu n gent gloom s once more
And sh out amid thy s to rmful roar
-
,
,
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,
.
AS
in wild s eas a deep i s fou nd
N o wi nt ry tem pest sti rs t h ough h igh
A s h ill s t h e m arch in g w aves u pbou nd
A nd b reak i n hissin g foam s o I
W al k h ere s ecu re ; t hou gh far above
Th e S to rm ki n g w it h h i s t rai n of snows
S weep s dow nward fro m t h e bitter n o rt h
A nd shouts h oarse fu ry a s h e goes
,
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7:
72
PR A I RI E S O N GS
I l augh i n to nes of rib ald glee
To s ee t he s h akin g of h is h ai r
A nd h ear f rom out hi s cloud of beard
H is fu riou s t h reate ni ngs sweep t h e air
Th e d ark pi n e s lower t h ei r lofty c rests
A s warriors bow w h e n chieft ai n grim
R ides by and shout s his ster n b eh est s
A nd w it h s w ift ans w ers ec h o h i m
,
,
.
,
.
T R I PE D
OP H ER
E I S a rogui s h l ittle wag !
H e sits lik e p rie s t with
folded h ands
Th e farm boy stop s b eh i nd h is d rag
A nd m ocks h is w h istl e w he r e h e st ands
,
.
-
.
Th e c ran e in deep s of su nlit sky
l e t h roat
P roclaims t h e S p ring wit h b u g
N ot less t h e p rop h ecies w h ich lie
With i n t h e gop h er s ch eery n ot e
,
’
.
From radiant slop es of p in k and green
F rom w arm b row n field s h is greetings fret
T h e eye of h aw k is n ot more k ee n
Th an h is w h en d anger s eem s t o t h reat
,
.
,
H e is a cu n ni n g l ittle wag !
H e sit s and j ee rs w it h folded h ands
T h e fa r m b oy stoop s beh ind h i s d rag
A nd fl in g
s a missile w h ere h e stands
.
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.
.
74
PR A I RI E S O NGS
TH E P R A I R I E TO TH E C I T Y
.
wi nd of t h e We s t go gr eet fo r me
Th ose t oile rs i n t h e city deep s !
G o teac h t h em t o b e wild and free
A nd c h ai nless a s t h e eagle keeps
G o fill t hei r h ea rt s w it h h ot desire
To ri s e above t h ei r sooty ta s k
G o t eac h t h em t o be w il d a s fi re
To as k and com pass t h at t h ey a s k !
0
,
.
,
,
A H U M A N H A B I T A TI O N
.
The s ky was like a low h u ng p u rple dis k
The plai n its cou nte rp art E a s tward between
Th e s e i nfi nit e di s ks of variant pu rp le t h e t rain
R u sh ed steadily e nt erin g a b e l t of orange colo red
-
,
.
,
,
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,
s ky,
W he rei n t h e sp ring ti m e su nlight grew i n p owe r
-
A gain st t h e glowing b and
A toot h of p urple plai n u p re ared t o n otch
Th e ot herwi s e u nb roken s ple ndid sweep
Of i ntersecting s k y and p lai n Fro m it
A t hi n blu e s moke arose
,
,
,
.
.
I t w as a hu m an h abitation
I t w as not a p rison A p ri so n
R e s ou nds wit h son gs yells t h e c ras h of g
ates
Th e click of lock s and grind of ch ains
Bars do n ot excl ude
V oice s ho ut s t o voice
The i nterch ange of wo rds
This w as solit ary co nfi nem ent
.
.
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,
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.
7s
,
.
76
P RAI R I E S O N G S
Th e su n u p sp r an g
I t s light swept t h e plai n lik e a sea
Of golden wate r and th e blu e gray do me
Th at soared above t h e set tle r s sh ack
W as light ed i nto m agi cal S plendo r
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,
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,
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T o some w orn w om an
An ot h e r m on oton ou s da y
w as
bo rn
.
78
PR A I RI E S O NGS
A L TR U I S M
.
A t ale of toil t hat s n ever don e I tell ;
O f life w h ere l ove s a fleeti n g wi ng
A cro s s t h e t oiler s m u rky h ell
O f e ndless c heerle s s j ou rneyi ng
I d raw t o t he e t h e far off poo r
A nd lay t h ei r sorrows at thy d o o r
’
,
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Th ou sh alt n ot rest w hile t h ese my ki nd
Toil h opel essly i n solitud e
Th ou sh alt n ot leave t h e m out of m ind
They m u st b e reckoned w it h Th e fo od
Y ou eat s h all bitte r b e
W hile law robs th em and feed et h th ee
.
,
.
RETURN OFTHEGULLS
A R out u pon th e t reeless sweep
Of su n smit plai n th ere come
A nd go great flights of gulls
I n h ot st ill noon i n roar of wi nd
I n mist of evenin g—o r i n cold clear d aw n
T h ey flit i n easeful flight above t h e swas h
Of u n cut w h eat glitt eri ng like fl akes
Of sn ow i n flam ing s u nlight
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Th ey are far fro m th e sea
H ow cam e t hey h ere t h ese ch ildre n
Of t h e raw s alt wi nds of ocean !
,
,
All day th ey wh eel and dip
A nd rise agai n—compl ai ni ng cal l i ng
I n qu er ulou s voices callin g askin g
F o r som ethin g lo s t
I n kee n October d awn s
Th ey m ove i n my riads w it h t h e r ollin gsweep
Of foam lin ed w aves of wate r
C lose to t h e s o d i n searc h of food
,
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80
P R A I RI E S O N G S
At n ight they s ettle u p on t h e b reas t
Of litt l e alkalin e l akes and s it and swi ng
I n t h e soft w ash of t h e w ate r
A nd t al k of t hi n g s far o ff
I n t h e w i nt er t h ey h asten sout h
,
.
.
F or ages t h ey h ave j o u rneyed t h us
C ent u ry by centu ry w h ile t h e low l and r ose
A n d t h e w ate r w asted —E on s and s til l
T h ey c am e and w ent G e ne ratio ns died
But t h e you n g p rese rved t h e c ustom
A nd n ow t ho ugh t he l an d is h ot
A nd t h e s e a is su n k t o an alk al in e pool
Th ey co m e and co me b ecause th ey bea r
W it hi n t hei r fait hfu l b rai n s t he h abit s
Of a t h ou sand t h ou sand years
,
,
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,
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R OA D
fi elds of n ewly risen wh eat
W h ereon lie cu r vi ng bu r nis h ed
pools
Of smoot h rose golden w ate r
A cross each p ond t h e hyl as peep ;
A w arm soil sce nted wi nd
M ove s fro m t h e w ide u n endin g spaces
Of t h e roseate West w h ere clou ds h an g
Lik e weary b i rd s o n w ing
-
,
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Th e click of plante r and t h e sh out
Of d rive r ringi ng t h rough t he ai r
A dd s h u m an p resen ce ; w h ile t h rou gh t h e rays
Of wid e r ed sett in g s u n a slow team m oves
A p u r pl e s h ado w on a golden grou nd
,
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8:
82
P RAI R I E SO N G S
TH E W I N D S
’
V O I C E;
I wo ke fa r out u p on t he ! ansas s od
A n d i n t h e c ar eave s ove r h eard
C l ose t o my e ar as if it called to me
I h ea rd t h e sad wind of th e plai n
A p us h ing w hisp e r t h e voi ce
Of a s pent ru n ne r h oarse wit h h ast e
Burde n ed with n ews of t h e vast
U nt r odde n w est
,
-
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,
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,
SSl SSII I I
’’
H R O U GH
w ild and tangl ed
forests
Th e b ro ad u n hastin g river fl o w s
S pott ed wit h rai n d rop s gray w it h nig h t ;
U po n its cu rvi ng b reast t here goes
A lonely steamboat s l arboard light
A blood red st a r agai nst t h e sh adowy oaks ;
N oiseless a s a gh ost th rou gh greenish gleam
Of fire fl ie s b efo re t h e boat s wild scream
A he ro n flaps away
L ike sile nce t akin g flight
,
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84
PR AI R I E S O N G S
A B R OTH E R S D E A T H S E A R CH
’
-
.
A sadde r searc h you d h ardly plan
Th an a b rot he r seekin g a b rot her s bones
S eekin g th e grave of a mu rde r ed m an
O n t h e p l ain w h ere th e wind like a m ou r n er
m oan s ;
S eek in g a s ku ll t h at t h e wolves h ave gn awed
B on es t h at t h e keen eyed fox h as p awed !
’
’
,
,
,
-
Al on e on t he p rairie d ay by d ay
W it h keen eyes sweepi ng t h e S u n n y g r ass
W h ere t h e bleach ing b u ffalo Skel etons l ay
S eei n g t h e h awk s swift s h adow p ass
S earch i ng t h e gu llies am id t h e sto ne s
Fo r a mu rde red b rot h er s scatt ered bon es
,
’
,
’
.
Alon e on t h e p rai rie night by night ;
I n cam p wh ere t h e w ild wi nd sp ent and weak
C om es lik e a ru n n er h oarse wit h f right
W h ispe ring a tal e h e d ares not s peak
W hi l e t h e roan at h is picket u neasily s ti rrin g
H ears ove r h is h ead a s wift bi rd w hi rri ng
,
,
,
,
.
Alo n e o n th e p rai ri e by n ight h e d reamed
Alo n e on t h e p rairie by d ay h e S pied
T h e d e ad m an s bon es (or s o it seemed !
A t hou sand t imes i n his silent rid e
B ut o nly t h e skel eto n buff aloe s lay
I n cou ntless myriad s along h is w ay
,
,
’
.
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,
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86
PR A I RI E S O N GS
S PR I N G RA I NS
.
W h e n t h e s n ow i s su nk
A n d t h e fields are b a re
A nd th e ri s ing su n h as a gold en gla re
Th rou gh t h e wi ndow p ane ;
A nd t h e crow fl ies over
Th e s m oot h low h ills
A nd all t h e ai r with h is callin g t h rills
A ll h ea rt s leap u p i n s on g again
T o wel com e sp r i n g an d t h e s p ri ng ti me
,
,
-
IFflE LB
N every sid e
Th e golden stubble st retch es
Looped an d laced w it h silve ry S piders webs
F ro m stal k t o stal k t h e s n ap pin g i n sect s leap ing
Add S p arks of glitt eri n g fi re t o gold and silver h aze
,
’
.
.
Thei r cli ckin g flight th e o nly sou nds of livin g
I n all t h e deep enin g solem n h u s h
Of floodi ng faili n g light t h rou gh d roopin g d reamy
grai n
.
Th e sweet w arm light grows eve ry m om ent riche r
E ve r m ore son orou s t h e cl am p and h ollow ai r
A nd n ow t h ere come s th e clatte r of t h e reape r
A nd l ou d and ch eery u rgi n g of t h e ti red teams
.
.
A rou n d u n s een t h e ch oi r of eveni ng cric kets
Deep en s an d w iden s wit h t h e fadin g du s k
A nd di s t ant calls to su p pe r reach acros s t h e tangled
grai n
,
,
,
.
Th e ove r arch in g m aj esty of p u rple clouds grows
b righte r
S oarin g above i n seas of green and blu e
-
.
88
PR A I R I E S O NGS
A tu mbled mou ntai n land of cloud crags fi red and
lighted
To glow ing b ro n ze and red and yellow gold
A nd t h rou gh t h e grai n t h e reap e r s till goes fo rward
A nd s ti l l t h e c ricket s ch i rp and i n s ects l eap
A nd overhead t he glo ry of the su n light tu rns t o
gray
-
,
.
,
.
.
PR A I RI E S O N G S
T H E N OO N D A Y PL A I N
.
Th e plai n l ay u nder t h e clo udless s k y
I n utte r and terrible silence
N ot a so u nd n ot a livi ng sou l not a voice
B ro k e fro m t h e ru ss et r each of sod
S ave a cricket t h at cried from th e deep
Of hi s lon elin ess like a lost sou l
.
,
,
,
.
Th e grass u nder foot
W as b rittl e as g
l ass and d ry as du st
I t c ru mb led t o powde r u nder t he h eel
A l ark s b rave voi ce sou nded n ear once
A nd w a s silent with h eat
,
.
’
,
,
.
Th e light was e no rm ou s
I n credible w orld fl o o di n g i n sati able as deat h !
I t was so fi erce t h e world of sod
G rew di m wit h over plu s of light
I t silen ced and w it he red
,
-
,
,
,
-
.
Th e w i nd c am e o ut of t h e West
S oftly sil ently as if o n tiptoe
And w hisp ered i n passin g as t h ough
I t l aid a fi n ge r o n t h e li p
,
,
,
,
,
.
T h e du st of r oad s aros e
Lik e sm oke from c revices of h idde n fi r es
A nd s ailed across t h e l and
Like b an n ers Team s crept beneath
Like w eary W in gless b eetles
C rawling fro m cabi n to cabin
.
.
,
89
90
PR A I RI E S O NG S
Awe and te rro r ro s e w ith in
The w aiti ng w atchi ng soul a h orro r
S t range and w ordless m ade t h e hea rt ache
Wit h wi sh to fly Th e sile n ce app alled
A nd t h e light d azzled
,
,
.
.
MIDNIGHT SNOWS
W I TC H E R Y of the
‘
wi n ter
W i tb b roa d m oon s b ou lderz ng
to t he W es t
'
.
S om etim es i n city st reets , at n ight
I wal k alon e b en eat h t h e t rees
Before my feet i n rustli ng flight
Th e we s t wi nd sw eep s
Th e m idnight s n ow s i n u nt racked heap s
F amiliar desolat e and wh ite
H earing t h e wi nd s w ild ru ne
I stand and w ait wit h u pt u rn ed eyes
Awed by t h e S ple n do r of t h e skie s
A nd star t rai ned p rogress of t he moon
,
.
,
’
,
,
-
Th e city vani s h es l ike s moke
I see t h e s n ow clad p rai rie gleam
Beneat h t h e magi c of t h e m oo n
A nd age fall s fr om m e l ike a cloak
-
,
9x
.
92
PR A I RI E S O N G S
I h ea r t h e sou nd of sleig h bells and t h e c roo n
Of lovin g voices Th rough misty night
I h ea r glad girli s h l aughte r ri ng
Cl ear as som e softly st ri cke n st ri ng
The m oon i s s ett i ngtow a r d t b a W es t
Th e sl eigh bells c las h i n h om eward flight
Wit h fro s t each horse s b reast is w h ite
A n d tb e b igm oon s i n ki nga t tb e W es t
-
.
,
.
.
-
,
’
,
Th e w at ch dogs b ark lik e se ntinel s
To h ear t h e p a ss in g of t h e bells
O m oo n y ou s e t t o s oo n too soon !
G o saili ng o n go s aili n g sl ow
0 m oon fa s t s in kin g at t h e We s t !
Th e l ove rs fai n w ou ld follow t h ee
Beyo nd t h e fa rt h est Western sea
T O O f ast t h e years of gi rlh ood go
Too soo n com e toil and al l u n rest
Ac ross t h e di am ond du sted s now
W e d rid e foreve r i n y ou r ligh t
0 sove reign of t h e cou rt of n ight !
-
.
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
-
’
,
G ood night Lu cy !
G ood night B en !
Tb e m oon i s s ett i nga t t b e W es t
G ood night my s weeth eart ! on ce ag ai n
Th e p a rtin g k iss w h ile co m rades wait
I m p atie nt at t h e roadside gate
-
,
-
,
!
-
,
,
,
A nd t b e
f ed
mo on
sds
b ey on d t b a W es t
.
94
PR AI RI E S O N G S
To lie h ere t askless d u mb and rapt
W it h w o rdless w eight of rem in is cent sce nes and
s ou nds
W eight of u n remembe r ed millions of autu m n s
F illed w it h t h e wo nde r of a my riad varied years
Wonder of w inds an d w ood s and rivers an d t h e
sm el l
Of ripen ed yellow grain and n uts and t h e j oy
Of s u n set rest from toil i n dim s m all field s
I n A n glo S a x o n d ays
,
,
,
,
,
,
-
.
A nd t h e s h adow s w heel and len gt h e n
A c r oss t h e level st ubble land w hic h glows
A m at of gold i nl aid with gree n
T h e su n i s su n k ; sigh i ng ! ri se t o go and t h e j ocu nd
call
Of n ear b y st reet boy b reak s t h e spell
Of clou d and s u n an d ru st li ng sh eaves
A nd t h e sweep of t h e u n resti ng my s tical wind
A n d O verh ead I h ear t h e j ar and t h rob
Of gi ant p resses and t h e gri ndin g roar
Of ceasel es s t u m ult i n t h e st reet below
C om es b ack and w elte rs m e again
-
,
,
-
-
,
.
O M b row n p lowed hillocks
I n early red mo rning
They wok e t h e t ardy so we r w it h thei r chee rfu l
A mellow boo m and wh oop
Th at h eld a w arn in g
A son g t hat b rought t h e seed tim e very nigh
,
,
-
.
Th e circlin g s pl endid anth em of t hei r greetin g
R an like t h e mo rning b eating
Of a h u nd red m ellow d ru m s
B oom boom b oom !
E ach hillock s top repeatin g
Like can no n answ e ri ng can no n
Whe n th e golden s u nset co mes
,
,
,
,
’
.
Th ey d ru m no more !
Th ose S plendid sp ri n g tim e p ickets
T h e sweep of s hare and s ickl e
H as t h ru st t he m from t h e hills ;
Th ey h ave van ished from th e p rai rie
Lik e t h e p a rt ridge f rom t h e t h ickets
Th ey h ave p erish ed from t h e S portsman
Wh o kills and kills and k ills !
-
,
,
,
,
95
,
96
P R A I RI E S O NGS
Ofte n n ow
Wh en seated at my w riting
I lay my p en ci l d ow n
A nd fal l t o d ream ing still
Of th e ste rn h ard d ays
Of th e old t i me I o w a seeding
W h en t h e p rai ri e c h icke ns woke m e
W it h t hei r c h o ru s o n t he h ill
,
,
,
,
,
-
,
.
ATOWNortbrPIJHN
S H A DELE S S
clum p of yellow
block s
I t stands u p on t h e sod ringed
Wit h level l and s and d raped i n m ist
W averi ng i n air s o d ry it seems
Th e very cloud s m ight bu rn
A mighty wind roars from t h e sout h
S ilen ci n g all ot h e r t u mu lt
I t s wings
H o ri zo n wide w elters t h e grass
A nd t ears t h e du st and stubble ;
A nd yet t h e mi s t rem ains Beneat h
The w ind fl at t o ea rt h teams craw l
Like beetles seeki ng s h elt er
I n t h e glim meri n g offing
R i cks of grai n st and l ike w alls
Of scattered S pani s h h uts and like
Th e ea s y m agic of d ream s
Lakes of gray blu e w ater bloo m
On t h e h ot p al pit ant plain
S o sweet and fai r t he h ea rt
A ch es wit h lo nging deep a s grief
They m ock t h e eyes a moment
A nd are go ne— and u nder th e w ind
Th e teams craw l o n b lind w it h du st
A nd faint wit h th i r s t
,
,
,
,
.
,
.
-
,
.
,
,
.
,
-
,
,
,
.
,
.
98
P RA I R I E S O N G S
I N T H E G O L D C O UN TR Y
A gray blu e st ream t h at cu rves
A nd st rikes a hig h red cli ff li n ed
Wit h b ronze gree n pi n es o n t h e fa rt h er side ;
N ear by a clou d of gray cold n aked asp s
A nd far beyond green spott ed cliff s
Of o range soil w it h glitte ri ng mou ntain s
Filli ng t h e fa r vi st a
-
,
-
,
-
,
,
.
,
E FROMWILD
MEA DOWS
H R O U GH
cool d ry dust
w agon s rattle
Thei r t al k subdu ed and grave
and low
The h orses walk wit h h ead s low h anging
Their footfalls m uffl ed rhyt h mical an d s low
,
.
,
,
.
Upo n t h e w eedy lo ad of ran k fall grasses
I lie and w atc h t he d aylight w ane
H earing t h e distant t h re s h er s h owl and clatter
A nd cow bell s m ovi ng dow n t h e d u s ty l ane
,
,
’
-
.
Th e d ark ne s s deepe ns and t he stars app earing
Lin e out t h e m arc h of com ing night
A nd n ow I catch t h e sou nd of farm yard s bu stle
And cros s th e kitche n s b an d of friendly fragrant
light
.
’
-
’
,
.
F amiliar voices c a l l t h e fal ling neck yokes rattle
Th e p u m p gives out its welco me squeal
Th e b arn s gloom swallows team and d river s
A nd m oth er s cal l to s u p per ring s a h earty peal
‘
-
,
.
’
,
’
.
99
,
1 00
P RA I R I E S O N G S
O fragrant wast e of autu m n grass es !
O p rai rie by t h e p lo ws h are t or n and re nt !
I t hin k of yo u i n d ays of h eat and h u rry
Lik e t raveler i n dese rts lost and sp en t
,
.
I w onde r if som e fut u re w orld or cy cl e
W ill b ri n g again th os e radiant seas of bloom
W h erein all life seem ed fai r and p eacefu l
A nd bi rd and b east fou nd generou s room
,
,
.
I ll
meet th em ! Th ey are n ot gon e fo reve r !
T h ey lie somewh ere t h ose s u n l it p rairie l ands
U nst ained of blood p osse s sed of p eace and plent y
U ntou ch ed by g r eed s al l d es olati ng h ands
’
-
,
,
,
’
.
1 02
P RA I R I E S O NGS
BO Y I S H S L E E P
.
A nd all night long w e lie i n S leep
Too sweet t o sig h i n o r to d ream
Un noting h ow th e wild w ind s sweep
O r s n ow clouds t h rough t h e dark n ess st ream
Above t h e t rees t h at m oan a nd S igh
A nd clutc h w it h n aked h ands t h e s k y
Be neat h t h e ch eckered cou nterp an e
We rest t h e s o u n dl ie r fo r t h e storm ;
It s w rat h i s only lu ll aby
A fa r O ff vast and dim refrai n
,
,
,
,
.
,
,
.
PR A I RI E S O N G S
TH E H E R D S M A N
A wa s te
Stil l n ess
r a s s es
fg
o
i ns ec ts
Of wb i te- b ot
’
1 03
.
dry a s b a i r ;
b uf f , a n d g
l a re
s u ns hi n e every
wher e !
T h e h e rdsm an like a st atu e sit s
Upon h is p antin g h orse W hile far below
Th e h erd m oves sou ndlessly as a s h adow fl it s
Th e w eak wind mu mbles som e mysteriou s wo r d
.
,
.
Th e w o rd grows loude r and a t h rill
O f act io n ru n s alon g t h e hot twin b ands
Of st eel A low roar quivers i n t h e ea r and still
N o m otio n else i n all t h e sp otted s ands
,
,
.
.
T h e roar grows b razen and a yell
B u rsts f rom an u nseen i ron t h roat ;
T h e h e rd s man s eyes re s t o n a distant swell
Wh en ce see ms t o com e th e s avage welcom e n ot e
,
’
,
.
A crawling t h u nderou s t h in g
A mo nstrou s s e rpent hot w ith h aste
Th e can no n b all exp ress wit h r us hin g swing
C i rcl es t h e butte and roars acros s th e w aste
S udden it comes !
,
.
,
-
.
Th e e mbodied might of t h ese ou r i ro n d ays
Th e gl itte ri n g m oving city r u sh es t ow ard t he east
B rin gi n g fo r a si ngl e i nst ant face t o face
Barbaric lon elin ess an d a flyi ng feast
,
.
,
1 04
P R A I RI E S O NGS
A r ogu i s h m aide n f ro m an o pe n w i ndow t h row s
(Or d rops ! he r h and ke rchief among t h e cacti s pears
Th e h e rdsm an p lu cks and wears it like a rose
U po n h is b reast and lau gh s t o h id e h is grateful
te ars
,
.
f gra s s es
l a re
cr i c kets c hi rp a n d g
a i n t he w a s te
Ag
Sti l l n es s
Of b ou ndl es s
o
,
s u n s hi n e every wher e
,
1 06
PR A I RI E S O NGS
A nd i n t h e d i m sh elte r of h is t ent
H e draws his rag s about h im
A nd dies defi antly
.
Blessed b e h i s fait h i n h ap py h u nting grou nd s
F o r not hing h ere i s left but beggary
A nd melan choly ch ange
-
.
.
rip en ess and repose ;
Th e s mell of gathered grains
and fru its
Th e m u s ky od or of melon s eve rywh ere
The ve ry du s t is fruity and t h e clic k
Of locu s t s wing s is like t he clo s e
Of gat es u po n great sto res of w heat
Th e gat h e red grai n bleach e s i n shock
Th e co rn b reathes o n m e fro m t h e west
A nd t h e s ky lin e W ide n s o n a nd o n
Until I s ee t h e w ave s of yellow gree n
Break o n t h e h ills t h at face t he s now and lilac
P e ak s of C olorado m ou ntains
O O L N ESS,
,
.
,
’
.
,
,
-
,
-
.
Th e s u n h alf s u n k
Bu rn s t h rough t h e d u s ty crimso n s ky
S treame rs of gold and green soar
I n radiatin g b ands like s poke s
Of G od s i m m ea s u rable ch ariot w heels
H alf s u n k and falling
-
,
,
.
,
’
-
.
,
1 08
PR A I R I E S O NG S
Th e catt le feed about m e h ere
S oci ably gnawin g t h e scant d ry grass
I h ear t h eir qu ick s h ort sigh s
A s o n e by on e t hey settl e fo r t h e night
A ll i s p eacefu l— save t h e d ull repo rt
Of m u rd erou s q uick rep eat ing gu n
Of som e i n s ati at e s po rtsman
,
,
,
.
-
,
.
Th rou gh t h e ho t h aze
Th e rapid rattle of a h ay rack goes
A nd as it p asse s leave s a t rail
O f b oyish m e mo ri es fadi ng f alling
Like t h e yellow du st t h at d rifts
Be h i nd th e h ay rack s w h eels
-
,
,
-
,
’
.
.
1 10
PR A I R I E S O NG S
S POR T
.
S om e w h ere , i n deep s
Of tangled ri pen ing w h eat
A little p rairi e ch icke n c ries
Lost from its fellow s it p leads and weep s
M ean w h il e stain ed and m angled
With du st fil l ed eyes
T h e u n replyin g m ot h e r l ies
L im p an d bl oody at t h e s p o rt m a n s feet
,
-
,
,
,
-
,
’
.
.
C OO L
G R A Y J UG
.
cool gray j u g t hat tou ch ed t h e lips
I n ki s s t h at softly clo s ed and clu n g !
N o S pani s h win e t he tip pler sips
Or P ort th e poet s p raise h as sun g
S u ch p u re u ntai nted sweet ne s s yields
A s cool gray j u g i n h arve s t fields
0
,
’
,
,
.
I see it n ow ! A clove r leaf
Outsp read u pon its sweating side
A s fro m t h e stand ing sh eaf
l pluck and swin g it h igh t he wide
F ield glow s wit h n oon day h eat
Th e winds are t angled i n t he w heat
,
-
.
u
:
1 12
PR A I RIE S O NG S
The my riad cricket s blithely chee p ;
A c ross t h e sw a s h of ri pened grai n
I s e e th e bu rn ish ed reape r c ree p
Th e lu nch boy co me s and on ce again
T h e j ug its c ryst al cool n ess yields
0 co ol g r ay j u g i n h a rv est fie l dSI
-
,
1 14
PR A I RI E S O N G S
T he n th e story is t old by som e of a m ate
O r f rie nd long lost i n t he dark a n d s nows
Wh o n eve r came b ack w h o s e awfu l fate
A nd scattered bo nes sep ul c h re t h e wolf o nly
k nows
,
,
,
,
’
.
A nd t h e vo ices s in k t o a l owe r t on e
A s far i n t h e deep s of t h e sighin g p i nes
A lone wolf s h o w l blends with t h e m oan
Of t h e win d i n t h e eaves as it sobs and w h i nes
,
’
,
‘
,
W h e n t he l ights are out an d t h e m e n asleep
Th e w olves grow n bold er s niff and pee r
Fro m t h e fa rt h e r e s t s h ade s and vai nly leap
R o u n d t h e t ree i n t h e clearin g w here hang
dee r
,
,
,
Till afar i n t h e d arkn e s s sign al yells
A nd a scu rryin g cho ru s of yelp s and cries
To t h e b affl ed w atch o n t h e cle aring tells
Th at a frant ic dee r t h rough th e tem pest flies
,
,
.
Oh ! a s h adowy b ea s t is t h e gray grizzled w olf
W here h i s feet fall s oft o n a carpet of s p in es ;
W hen t h e n ight is dark and t he storm si ngs high
H is V oi ce i s ab road i n th e tos s i ng pi nes
,
,
.
H e s t h e S ym bol of h u n ge r t h e w h ole earth t h rough
H is S pecte r s its at t he doo r O f care
A nd t h e h omele s s h ear w it h a t h rill of fear
The sou nd of h is wi nd swept voice o n t h e ai r
’
,
-
.
,
L O N EL Y task is to plow !
All d ay t h e bl ack and s h ining
soil
R olls like a ribbon from t h e mold board s
G listeni ng cu rve All day t h e h orses toil
A nd b attl e w it h th e flies and st rai n
Th ei r creakin g h arnesse s All day
Th e c rickets j eer from wi nd blow n sh ocks of grai n
’
-
.
,
.
-
.
Octobe r b rings t h e frosty d aw n
Th e still warm n oon and cold clear night
W h en stiff ened c rickets m ake n o sou nd
A nd w ild d u cks i n t hei r sout hward flight
G o by i n h ast e— an d still t h e boy
A nd t oilin g t eam gn aw rou nd by rou nd
o n weath er beaten s tu bbl e band by band
U ntil at la s t t o h is great j oy
The winte r s frost seal s u p t h e u nplowed land
,
,
,
,
-
,
,
,
’
.
1 16
P RAI R I E S O N G S
A TR I B U T E OF G R A SS E S
TO W W
.
.
.
S erene vast h ead with silver c loud of h ai r
Lin ed o n t h e pu rple du sk of d eath
A st ern m ed allion velvet set
Old N o rsem an t h ron ed not ch ai ned u po n thy
Thy grasp of h and thy h e arty b reat h
Of wel com e t h rills m e yet
A s wh e n I faced thee t h ere !
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
Lovi ng my p lai n as t h ou thy s e a
Facin g th e E ast as t hou t h e We s t
I b ri ng a h an dfu l of grass t o t h e e
T h e p rai ri e gra s ses I k n ow t h e b est ;
Ty p e of th e w ealt h and w idt h of th e pl ain
S t ro ng of t h e st rengt h of t h e w ind and sleet
F ragr a n t wit h s u nlight and cool with rain
I b ri ng it and lay it low at t hy feet
H e r e by t h e eastern se a
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
1 18
PR A I RI E S O N GS
Of siege gu ns wou ld b e lo s t wit hi n
Th e p u lsing roar t h e i llimitabl e di n
Of S p ranglin g light nin g fl ash o n fl ash
,
,
.
it
Th e roar recedes Th e e age r eye
S ees th e d arkne s s lighte n E ach glare grow s
E ach m ome nt dim m er A rift
Of w e s ter n Sk y a gold en crescent sh ows
Th e w ind lulls and d rip pi ng flowers lift
A nd w at ch t h e d aylight co m e again
Th e plai n sm ells sweet as t h e skies
B ro ade n and lighte n and from t h e t ramp led grai n
T h e l ark s e x u ltant fl u t in g
s rise
.
.
.
.
.
,
,
’
.
H ER E
a re voi ces
I n t he
Ther e
a re
a u tu m n ra in
s dr ea r
p ip i ng
i n the g
r a ssy
w a s t e;
There
a re
l ifti ngs we l l s w hos e
c r es ts a r is e
Ti l l t hey t ou ch a n d b l en d wi th the l ea den s k i es
PVhere m a s s ed c l o u ds wi l dly ha s te
.
o n my ho r s e i n boot and S pu r
As t h e night fall s d rear
On t he lo nely plain Afar I hear
Th e cry of goose and swift wings whir r
T h rou gh t h e gr ayi ng deeps of t h e u ppe r ai r
Like weary great bi rd s th e c loud s sail low
Th e wind n ow w ails like a wom an i n woe
N ow m utters and growls like a lion i n lai r
I
s it
.
,
,
.
Lost o n t he p rai rie !
All day alo ne
Wit h my boy ish p ride my swift Lad rone
And th e sh ap es o n t he sh adow my startled
b rai n cast
,
.
1 20
PR A I RI E S O N GS
W hic h way is n o rt h ! W hich wa y is we s t !
I a s k Ladro n e fo r h e k n ows b est
A nd h e tu rns h is h ead t o t h e b last
H e w hi n nies and t u rn s at my voice s sou nd
A nd t h e n i m p atie ntly p aws t h e gro u nd
T h e night s gray t u rn s to a starle ss black
A n d t h e d rift in g mi zzl e and scu rrying rack
H ave melted afar i nto rayless n igh t
T h e wi nd l ike an acto r ch ildis h with age
P l ays favo rite ch aracters n ow sobs wit h rage
N o w flees like a ch il d i n fright
,
,
.
’
,
.
’
,
.
,
,
,
,
.
I tu rn f rom t h e w ind (a t reach erou s guide !
A nd touc h my k n ee to t h e glossy s id e
Of my s teami ng ho rse and t h e p rairie wide
S lips by like t h e sea u nde r bou n ding keel ;
A s I p at h is neck and feel t h e reel
Of h is m ighty ch est an d swift l imb s p lay
T h e so rrowfu l wi nd voice d ies away
,
’
,
.
Th e coyote start s fro m a sh ive ring sleep
O n th e grassy edge of a gully dee p
A nd sil ently S li ps t h rou gh t h e wind be nt weeds ;
Th e p rai rie h en f ro m be neat h o u r feet
S p ri ngs u p i n h aste wit h swift win g s b eat
An d i nt o t he d ark like a bu llet speeds
-
’
,
,
.
W h ic h way is east ! W h ich w ay is sout h !
I s n ot to b e answered w h en dark as t he m outh
Of a red Iip p ed wolf t h e n ight s huts dow n
,
-
1 22
PR A I RI E S O N GS
I long h ad ceased t o fear o r reck
Or deat h by cold o r wolf o r s n ow
Be nt gri mly on my s addle bow
,
.
M y limb s were n u m b I s eem ed t o ride
U po n som e viewle s s rush ing tide
M y h an ds h u n g h elp less at my S ide
Th e m ultit udinou s t ram pling s n ows
Wit h sole m n ceaseless my riad di n
S wept rou n d an d ove r m e ; far and wide
A roari n g s i l en ce s h ut t h e sen s e s i n !
Above m e t h rou gh t h e hu rtli ng S h rou d s
Th e f ar Sk y red w ith mo rn ing glows
Looked d ow n at t im es
A n d t h e n was l ost i n clou ds
,
.
,
,
,
,
,
.
But we re my t o ngu e W i t h p oet s s pell
Afl a m e and free I could n ot t ell
Th e tal e of biti n g h u nger cold th e h ell
Of frenzied t h ought s t h at age long night !
H ow life s eem ed only i n my b rain ; t h e wind
The foam w hit e b reeze of wi nt ry seas
Th at roared i n w rat h f ro m l eft t o r ig h t
S t riki n g m e h el ples s deaf and b li nd
’
,
,
,
-
-
,
.
,
ate
at
Th e t h i rd morn b roke u po n my sight
S t reamed t h rough t h e wi ndow of t he roo m
I n w h ic h I woke I k new not h ow
Brok e radiant i n a golde n bl oom
A s t hou gh G od s miled away t h e nig h t !
,
.
,
,
PR A I RI E S O N G S
1 23
Li ke an etern al c h angel ess s ea
Of b u rnis hed m arble lay t h e plai n
I n d azzling m oveles s s ou ndless waste
H orizon girt with out a stai n
,
,
,
-
,
.
Th e ai r w a s still N o b reat h of so u nd
Cam e from t h e w h ite exp an s e
Th e w h ol e eart h s eem ed to wait i n t rance
I n h u s h ed ex pectant S ilence bou nd
A n d 0 t h e b eauty of t h e easte rn s ky
W h e re glowed t he h erald b an ne r s O f t h e ki ng !
A n d a s I l ooked with famish ed eye
Lo ! d ay came o n m e with a sp ri ng
.
,
.
,
,
.
Al ong t h e i rid escent b illow s of t h e s now
Th e s u n shot s lende r glan cing be ams
Lik e fl ami ng a rrows from t h e bow
They b roke o n every crest and gleams
Of radiant fi re
Alit on every sp i re
A long th e great king s p at hway as h e cam e
A nd cloudless soft sere ne as M ay
O pen ed t he j ocu nd day !
,
,
’
,
,
,
.
1 26
PR A I RI E S O N GS
A nd u nde r my thigh s —tw i x t
’
my k nees
,
Again as of old I can feel
Th e roll of Lad ron e s vast m u scles t h e reel
Of h i s ch e s t— s ee t h e th ru st of fore limb
A nd h ear t h e d ull t ram ple of h eel !
,
,
’
,
-
We t h u nde r b eh ind t h e w ild h erd
M y singi n g w hi p swi rls like a sn ake ;
H u rrah ! w e swoop o n lik e a bi rd
W it h Ladron e s p rou d record at stak e
F o r t h e s h aggy swift l ead er h as stride
L i ke t h e l a s t O f a l on g ki ngly li ne
H er eyes flas h fi re t h rough h e r h ai r
S h e t o ss es h er h ead i n d isd ai n
H er m an e st ream s ab ro ad i n t h e a i r
S h e l eads t h e m ad h erd of t h e p lai n
A S a wolf l ead er l eads h is gau nt p ack
O n t h e slot of t h e d e s pe rat e dee r
Th ei r exu lt ant eyes savagely S h ine !
,
,
’
,
.
,
,
But dow n o n t h e l ead er s b road b ack
S tin gs my l a s h like a rill of red fl a m e
H u zza my w ild b eauty you r b e s t !
W ill you t each my Lad ro n e a n ew p ace !
Will you b reak hi s p rou d h eart wit h a s h am e
B y s pu rni n g t h e d ust i n his face !
’
,
,
Th e h erd falls beh ind and i s l o s t
A s we race neck and n eck stride and st ride
Agai n th e long w h ip h i s se s h ot
Alon g t he gray m are s glossy side
,
’
PR A I RI E S O NGS
1 27
A ha Sh e is l o st ! S h e do es n ot respo nd
Th e s torm of h er S p eed s at its best
N ow I lean t o t he ear of m y roan
A nd shout letting fall th e tight rei n
Like a h ou nd from t h e leas h my Lad rone
S woops ah ead
We re alone o n t h e pl ain !
,
’
,
’
alon e on t h e wide solemn p rai rie
I rid e w ith my rifle i n h and
M y eyes o n t he watc h for t h e wary
A nd beautiful antelop e b and ;
Ye s ,
,
,
Or sleeping at night i n t h e grasses I h ear
Lad ro ne grazin g near i n t he gloom
H is list eni ng h ead o n th e s k y
Comes b ack etch ed co mplete t o t h e ear
F rom t h e river b elow comes t h e b oo m
Of t h e bitte rn t h e t rill an d th e cry
Of f rogs i n t he pool and sh ril l cricket s chime
M aking ceaseless and m arvel ou s rhyme
,
,
.
,
.
,
’
,
.
Bu t wha t
!
W hen
W hen
A
nd
f
o
his fa te
tha t ter r i b l e temp es t wa s don e
he s ta g
gered w i th y o u to the l ight ,
the fig
ht wi th the N o r ther w a s won 2
gu es t a t y ou r door P
f riend not s o I—sold h im out right
D i d he l i ve l ike
NO,
D i d he di e
,
a
,
.
,
PR A I RI E S O N G S
1 28
t
a
t,
s oldy o u r
pres erver
h wi n d a nd w i ld
Throu g
Br ou g
ht y o u
fe
sa
H e who
s n ow a nd
a s hel t er a
to
D i dy ou , when t he da ng
e r ha d
et y
Forg
ou r
deep
ght
ni
t last !
ended,
du m b her o , y ou r fr i en d
Fo rget ! N o no r sh all l —w hy m an !
I t s little you k now of s u ch love
A s I felt fo r h im — you t hi n k t hat you feel
The s am e deep regard for y ou r sp an
Blan k eted s h ini n g and cl ip ped t o t h e h eel
But my h orse w as com pan io n a nd f riend
M y p lay mate my Shi p o n t h e s ea
Of d u n grasses ; i n all kind s of w eathe r
Unh ou sed and hu ngry s ometim e s h e
S e rved m e fo r love h e n eeded n o tethe r !
,
,
’
,
,
,
.
,
'
,
,
,
,
N o I can n ot f orget ; b ut wh o
I s t h e m aste r of fo rt u n e o r f ate !
W h o d oes as h e wish es and n ot a s h e m u st !
W he n I s old my p re s e rve r my m ate
M y f a it hf u l e st friend m an I w ept
Y es I ow n it ! H is beautifu l eye s
S ee med t o ask wh at it meant and h e kept
Th e m fi xed o n m e i n startled su rp rise
As an ot he r b a n d led h i m away
A nd t h e la s t t h at I heard of my roan
Wa s t h e sou nd of h is sh rill pleadi ng n e igh
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
PR A I RI E S O NGS
TH E P I C ! ET L I N E
A CROSS
.
Afte r w e d b een a ch asi n old H o od
A nd pen ned hi m i nto A t l a n ty
Un cle Billy doggo ne hi m stood
A ro u nd b ehi nd u s t m ak e u s a n ty
A dig
gi n di rt and a cu tt i n d i t ch es
F r d ays and days
an to p 0 t h at
We sle p side arm s i n ou r b ritches
R eady t fight at th e d ro p 0 the hat
’
13 1
'
-
,
,
’
’
-
’
-
,
’
’
’
,
’
-
,
’
’
Wal
.
Th e rebel pi ckets got close r n close r
T il l blam e n ear w e could al m o s t s ee
Th e kind 0 felle r s t h e J oh n nies w as
A n t al k as easy as you an m e
Out i n th e field h ere p l o w in co rn
A n gassi n acro ss th e div idi n li n e
Y essir ! A n t h e re we d s et an t rade off lies
A bout t he war and p rovision s tel l
S om e felle r d sing out H u nt y r h oles
G ive th e last m an s in j e n hell
’
’
’
,
’
’
’
’
’
’
.
’
’
’
,
,
’
’
!
’
Wal
E very n ight we c d h ear e m Si ng
Old H u nd red o r S alvation s F ree
A n we d j oi n i n and m ak e t h ings ri ng
A n so we got t k n ow y s ee
J est wh e n t h e J oh n n ies m eant t shel l
R ch arge n ext day r s p ring a m in e
F o r w he n t hey d p lan d t give u s h el l
They d si ng of h eaven al l lon g t h e line
’
I
’
,
,
’
!
’
!
’
’
’
’
,
,
’
’
’
,
’
’
’
’
’
.
PR A I RI E S O N GS
1 32
Fact ! Ye s sl r su re s y r born
I neve r see t he sin gi n fail
A l way s b rought a storm n ext day
Wit h b lI IIet S fl y i n t hick as h ail
A n t h em t here R ebs a s c ra m b l i n r ight
S traight u p t o o u r b lessed eyes
Teet h g ritted faces w h ite
A h y e ll i n fit t o raise th e S kies
’
’
,
,
’
,
’
,
’
’
-
,
’
’
.
Fraid ! N ot by a dar n sight I Th ey
Did n t k now w h at t h e w ord m eant
N o s i r—t hey d j est n a c h e rl y p ray
A n w he reve r a m an u d go t h ey we nt ;
T h ey w a n t n o discou nt o n t h ei r grit
A nd I d on t bear e m any S pite
W e met like m en an s ettled it
A nd I gu ess th ey thi n k it s settled r ig h t
’
’
.
’
’
’
,
’
’
,
’
’
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’
,
,
’
.
1 34
P R AI R I E
SO NG S
L O G A N AT P E A C H T R E E C R E E !
A
VE TE RA N S S TO RY
.
’
.
Y ou k n o w t h at d ay at P eac h Tree C ree k
W h en t h e R ebs w it h t h eir ci rclin g s co rc hi ng
Of s m oke h id can no n and swee p of flam e
D rove i n ou r fl ank s b ack ! b ac k ! and all
Ou r t oil see med l ost i n th e sto rm of s h ell
Th at d espe rate d ay M c P he rs o n fell !
,
,
w a ll
-
,
Ou r r egi ment stood i n a l ittle gl ad e
S et rou n d wit h h alf grow n red oak t rees
An a w fu l place t o st and i n full fai r sight
W h ile t h e min ie bu llet s h u m med l ike bees
A nd com rades d rop ped on eith er side
T h at fea rful d ay Mc P h e rs o n died !
-
!
,
,
,
Th e roar of t h e b attle st eady st ern
R u ng i n ou r e ars U po n o u r e ye s
Th e bel chi ng c an no n s moke t h e h alf h id S wi ng
Of d epl oy i ng t roop s t he g roan s t h e cries
Th e h oarse co m m ands t h e sic ke ni ng s m ell
Th at blood red d ay Mc P h e rs o n f e ll !
,
,
,
.
-
,
,
,
,
,
-
B ut w e st ood t h e r e I—w he n out f ro m t h e t rees
Out of th e s moke and dis may t o t h e right
Bu rst a ride r— H is h ead w as b are h is eye
H ad a bl aze lik e a lio n fai n fo r figh t ;
H i s lon g h ai r black a s t h e dee p est n ight
S t ream ed out o n th e w i nd A n d t h e m ight
Of hi s plu ngi ng h o rse w as a t al e t o t ell
,
,
,
.
,
,
PR A I RI E S O NGS
1 35
A nd h is voice ran g h igh like a bugle s swell ;
M en t h e e n emy h em u s o n every s ide ;
We ll whi p e m yet ! Close u p t h at b reach
—d on t give an i n ch !
R em ember you r fl a g
Th e right fl a n k s g ai nin g and soon will re ach
F orward boys and give e m h ell !
S aid Logan after M c P h e rs o n fell
W e l aughed and ch eered and th e red grou nd shook
A s t h e gene ral p lu n ged along t h e line
Th rou g h t h e d eadliest rain of s creaming sh el ls ;
Fo r t h e sou nd of his voice refresh ed u s all
A nd w e filled t h e gap li ke a roar i ng t ide
A nd s aved t h e day Mc P h e r s o n died !
’
,
’
’
’
’
’
,
!
,
,
.
,
,
But t h at w as t we nty years ago
A nd p art of a ho rrible d ream n ow p a s t
F o r L ogan t h e lion th e d ru ms t h rob l ow
A nd th e flag swings low o n t h e m ast ;
H e h as follow ed h is mighty ch ieftain th rough
Th e m ist hu n g st ream w h ere gray and blu e
O ne color st and
A n d N o rt h t o S outh e xtends t h e h and
I t s right t h at d eeds of war and blood
S h ou ld b e fo rgot but S p ite of all
I t h i n k of Logan n ow as h e rode
Th at d ay across t h e fi eld ; I h ear t h e call
Of h is t ru m pet voice—s ee t h e b attle sh ine
I n h is ste rn b lack eyes a n d d ow n t h e lin e
Of ch eeri n g m en I see h i m ride
As o n t h e d ay Mc P he r s o n died
,
.
,
,
-
,
,
.
’
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
,
.
,
1 36
PR AI RI E S O NGS
PAID
H IS
WAY
.
N o S teve I ai nt com plaini n any
I ll g
O —if y t h in k it s rig ht ;
I do n t ask a si ngle bite n r a pe n ny
M ore n r l e s s n j e s t w h at s w h ite
But s o n bi m e by w h e n t h e old m an s do ne
J e s t rem emb er my w o rd s t o d ay
Y do n t li ke to h ave m e rou nd h y e r e
But I recko n I v e p aid m way !
’
,
,
’
,
’
’
’
’
’
’
’
’
,
,
-
.
’
’
’
,
’
’
I w as eighty o ne last J anu ary
Born i n t h e Bu ck eye S tat e
I We o pe n ed t wo fa rm s o n t h e p rai rie
A n w ork ed on em e arly and l at e
C o me rain o r com e s hi n e a s c ra p i n t ear n
E very mo ut hfu l w e e at an want 0 say
Th at I n ever rod e i n n o fr ee con ce rn
Th at I did n t p ay my w ay
-
,
,
’
’
.
’
’
,
’
’
,
,
’
.
mot he r and m e w orked m ig h ty h ard
H ow h ard y ou ll n eve r k n ow
I n cold and h eat a s t andi n gu ard
To keep o ff t h e rai n a nd s n ow
Th e m o rt gig
e ke p e a ti n i n n eare r t o bo ne
A nd t h e war it co me alo ng t oo
But I went — left m othe r alo n e
W it h S is i n t h e c radle —and yo u
Y
’
r
,
’
,
’
-
.
’
’
,
.
S e rved my t i me ; a n com me n ced agi n
O n an l oway p rai rie qu a rte r
’
,
,
PR A I RI E S O NGS
1 38
F o r S tep h e n I ve t ravelled fo r fift y yea r s
A n I v e always p aid my w ay
’
,
,
’
’
.
I ain t a goi n t o both e r y lo ng
I ll be a p io n e e ri n fu rt h e r West
Wh e re m ot h er is and G od ll s ay
Take it e a s y A mos y v e e arn ed a rest
S o S tevi e I w ant t o st ay w it h you
I w ant 0 wor k w hile I stay
J es gi ve m e a little Su m p i n t o do
I rec ko n I ll p ay my w ay
’
’
-
’
,
’
’
’
,
’
,
,
,
,
’
,
’
’
,
’
.
'
CHAWIN HAY
T EL L
ye h w hut ! The
ch an kin
Wh ich th e ti red horses
m ake s
W h en you ve s lip ped t h e h arn ess o ff m
A n sh oved t he h ay i n flake s
F ro m th e h ay m ow ove rh ead
I S j e s t about t he equ al of any pi any ;
They s not hi n s o u n s s c u m ft a b u l
A s h orses ch awi n h ay
’
’
’
’
-
,
-
’
’
’
’
’
.
I love t h ear em ch ankin
Je s t a —
gr in din slo w and l o w
Wit h th ei r snoots a ro o t in clover
Dee p as t h ei r 0 1 h eads ll go
I t s ki nd 0 so rt 0 restin
To a felle r s bones I say
I t s ou m s S m ighty c u m ft a b u l
Th e h o rs u s ch awin h ay
’
’
’
,
’
,
’
-
’
’
.
’
’
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.
,
’
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.
x 39
1 40
P R A I R I E S O NG S
g
g o n k!
I n a stiddy kin d 0 to n e
N ot a t ail a w a g
gin t o u m
N r anot h e r sou nd r g roan
F e r th e fl ies is go n e a s n o o z in
The n I loaf arou nd an w atc h em
I n a sleepy ki nd 0 w ay
F r t h ey sou n s o m ighty c u mft a b u l
A s t h ey re w t and ch aw t hei r h ay
Gr a
-
on k ,
ra
-
on k ,
-
ra
’
,
’
-
’
,
’
’
’
-
’
’
’
,
’
’
.
A n it sets m e t h in ki n sobe r
Of t h e d ays of 5 3
W hen w e pio nee red t he p rairies
M w ife an d ad an m e
I n a du m m e d o l p rair ie sch oone r
I n a rough a n t u mbl e w ay
Sl ee p i n out at nights t o m u s ic
Of th e h o r s u s ch awin h ay
’
’
’
,
’
’
’
,
’
,
’-
-
,
’
,
’
.
Or I m t hin ki n of my com rad es
I n t h e fall of 63
W he n I rode w it h O I ! il pat rick
Th rough o n t h rou gh 0 1 Te n n essee
I m a l ayi n i n m b l an ket
W it h my h ead agi n a sto n e
G azi n u pwards t ow ard s th e N ort h S tar
Billy S yke s and Davy S lo an
A s n o r in i n a bu ck saw kind 0 w ay
A n m e a l ayi n l is t e n i n
To t h e h o r s u s c h awi n h ay
’
’
’
,
’
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’
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,
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,
’
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.
1 42
PR A I R I E S O NGS
G R OWI N G O LD
.
fo rty years next E aste r d ay
H i m and m e in w ind an d weat h e r
H ave b ee n a gittin be nt n gray
Mo g
i n alo ng t ogethe r
g
’
Fr
,
’
-
’
’
’
.
We re n ot s o very old of c ou rse !
B ut still w e ain t s o awfu l S p ry
A s w h e n w e w ent t o singi n school
Afoot and cross lot s h i m a nd I
A nd w alk ed b ack h om e t h e l ongest way
A h t h e m oo n a s h i ni n o n t h e s now
M aki n t h e road as b ri ght as day
A n hi s voi ce tal ki n low
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Land s ake s ! J est h ear m e t alk
F r all th e wo rld j est like a girl
M e— ne arly sixty !— Well a we ll !
I w a s s o t al l and s tron g th e cu r l
I n my h ai r S im said w as lik e
Th e c ri n kles i n a m edde r b rook
SO b row n and b right ! b ut t h e re !
I gu e s s h e got it from a b ook
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t alk i n t h e m t h ere d ay s was full
Of j est sech n o nsense— D on t yo u t h in k
I did n t lik e it fo r I d id !
I w alked al ong t h e re glad to d ri nk
H i s word s i n like t h e b reat h 0 life
H eave ns an d e art h w h at fools we w omen
H is
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PR A IRI E S O NGS
A n d w hen h e asked m e for h is wife
I answe red Y es of cou rse y s ee
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An t he n com e work and t rouble bit
N ot m uc h time fo r love tal k t hen !
We bought a farm and mo rtgaged it
A nd w orked and slaved like all po s sessed
To lift t h at t u r ri b l e gri n di n weight
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I w ashed and ch u rned and sewed
A n c hi l du rn c ome till w e had e ight
A s h an som e babes a s eve r growed
To walk be s ide a mot her s kn ee
They hel ped m e b ear it all y se e
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I t ai n t been nothi n el s e but scrub
A n rub and bake and stew
Th e h u ll h u ll ti me ove r stove o r t ub
N O tim e to re s t a s me n folk s do
I tell yeh som et ime s I s it and t hin k
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O ne
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n ice
gra ve
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n i c e , s weet , ever l a s t i n
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d on t look scart ! I mean
J est w hat I s ay A in t c razy yet
But it s en ough t o make m e s o
Of cou rse it ain t no u s e to fret
Wh o s aid it w a s ! I t s n a c h e rl t hough
But 0 if I w a s o nly th e re
I n t he p a s t and you ng o nce m ore
A n had t he c ri nkles i n my hai r
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PR A I RI E S O N GS
1 44
A n a r ms a s ro u nd and st ro ng and sid e
A s it w as t h e n I— I d I d
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I d d o it all ove r agai n like a foo l
I s p ose ! I d take t h e p ai n
A n w ork an wo rry b abes and all
I s pose t hi n gs go by som e big ru l e
Of G od s ow n book b ut my 0 1 b rain
C an t fi x u m u p so I ll j u s t w ait
A n d o my duty wh e n it s clear
A n t ru s t t o H i m t o m ake it st raight
Good ness n oo n is al m ost h e re
And t h ere t h e m en co m e t h roug h t h e gate !
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SONGS
PRA I R I E
W as n t old h ut he r fo rt y s ix —N o
J est got h u m p t an t hin an gray
W ash i n an c h u r n i n an s w ee p in by J oe
F r fou rt een hou r s o r m ore a day
Brats o sic kly c hild re n eve r y year
To d rag th e life p lu m out 0 h e r
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Worked to d eat h S tarved to deat h
Died f r lack of air an su n
D y i n f r rest and f r j est a b reat h
0 sim ple p raise fer w h at s he d do ne
A n m any s th e wo m an t h i s ve ry day
E lde r dy in sl ow i n t h at same way
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UT o n
s n ow the boys
are S p ri ngi ng
S h outi ng blith ely at t hei r play
Th rough th e night th ei r voices ri ngin g
S ou nd the c ry P om p u l l a way !
U p t he s k y the rou nd moon stealing
Trails a robe of sh i mmering w hite ;
Overh ead t h e G reat Bear wh eelin g
R ou nd th e pale star s st eady lig h t
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Th e air wit h frost is keen and stin g
i ng
P om p om p u l l a way !
Big boy s wh istle girls are si ngi ng
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Ah ! t h e p h ra s e h a s magic i n it
P ie rcing frosty moo n lit ai r
A nd i n ab out a h al f a mi nute
l am pa rt and parcel t h ere
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PRAI RI E SONGS
Acro ss t he road I once mo re scu rry
Th rou gh t h e t hickest of t h e f ray
S leeve rip ped o ff by A ndy M u r ray
Let e r ri p — P om pu l l a w ay !
Mo t h e r l l m end it i n t h e m or nin g
(Dear old p atient s miling face !!
On e mo re p atch my sl eeve ad or nin g
W b oop ar up ! i s no di s grace
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M oo nbeam s on t h e s n ow cru s t s pli nte r
Ai r t h at stirs t h e blood l ike wi n e ;
W hat cared w e fo r cold of winte r
O r fo r maide n s s oft eyes s hin e !
G ive u s b ut a score of sk a te rs
A n d t h e gam e P om p u l l a way
We w ere al ways gi rl berat ers
F orgot t he m w h olly t rut h t o say
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voi ces t h rou gh t h e n ight ai r ri n gi ng !
O t h oughtless h appy boys at play !
0 silver cloud s t h e kee n w ind wingi ng
At t he c ry P om p u l l a way !
1 s it and d ream with keen est lo n gi ng
F o r t h at star lit magi c night
F or my n oisy playm ates t h ro ngi n g
And t he slow m o o n s t r aili n g l ight
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P RA I R I E
SO N G S
I t ell ye t h in gs looked p u rty wild
On t h at th e re p rai rie t h e n I
We h ad n t n ary ch ic k n r ch ild
A n w e bu ckled d ow n t o wo rk l ik e m en
H and s o me land t h em t wo cl aims w as
A s ev er l ay out doors ! R ich an clean
Of b ru sh an s l o o s Y r Un cle D aws
H e u s ed t s a y G od d on e h i s b e s t
On t h at t h ere l and —H i s l ev el be s t
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N o I j est can t st and it h ere
N o b ow— ai n t room to swing my
Y e re all coop ed u p i n t h i s e re fl at
J est lik e ch i ckens i n a t rap
I m mighty s o rry S ue b ut I
C an t st and it an m ot h er can t
I t 5 173 was willi n w y I d t ry
But I gu ess w e ll go t m orre r
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w h en w e j est get h o m e agi n
B ac k t Ced ar Co u nty b ack t R om e
Back t Ba s swood R u n an b om e
Wo n t t h e n eigh b ors j e s t d ro p i n
W h en we g
i t s ettled dow n an gri n
A n a l l sh ake h an s—a n D eaco n Wh it e
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D rive u p t l a fl t h at l aff o h isn
ht
M ot h e r l et s sta rt back t n i g
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PR AI R I E SONGS
Th e corn is j e s t a ra m p in n ow
I c n h ear t he leaves a ru ss l in
A s t h ey twist an swing an bow
I c n s ee th e boys a h u ss l in
I n t h e m e dde r by t he c rick
F orki n h ay f r all i n s ight
A n t h e bi rds an bees S thick I
0 we m us t start back t night I
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P RA I R I E SO N G S
I nto t h e W est
Th e m ile s fal l b eh ind u s ;
I am fi lled with wild j oy
Th at eart h can n ot bi nd u s
A leagu e but a t oy
T O b e p layed w it h and t ossed
To t h e winds 1 am p art of t h e p ride
A nd t h e glo ry O f m an
A s o nw ard w e sweep
O n t he clo ud dap pled d ee p
Of t h e mighty gree n sea
I n a swift and m ost m arvelou s r ide
I nt o t he West
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PRAIRIES
LO V E my p rai ries t hey are
mi ne
F rom zenit h to h o rizo n li ne
Clipping a world of s k y and sod
Like t he be nded arm and wrist of God
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I love t heir grasses Th e skies
A re large r and my re s tless eye s
Faste n o n more of earth and ai r
Than s e a S hores fu rnish anywh ere
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I love the h azel thickets and t h e breeze
Th e never resting prai rie wi nds ; the trees
Th at stand like spear poi nt s high
Agai n s t t he d ark bl ue s k y
A re wonde rfu l to m e I love t he gold
Of newly s have n stubble rolled
A royal carpet toward t he s u n fit to be
The pathway of a deity
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P RA I R I E S O N G S
I l ove t h e l ife of p astu re l ands th e so ngs of
bi rd s
A re n ot m ore th rilli ng t o m e t h an t h e h e rd s
M ad bellowi ng—o r t h e s h ad o w str id e
Of m ou nted h erdsm e n at my S id e
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I love my p rai ries th ey are m ine
Fro m high s u n to h orizon li n e
Th e m ou nt ains and t h e cold gray
A re n ot for m e a re n aught t o me
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P RA I R I E S O N G S
M em o ri es of N ew E ngl and m ead ow l ands
M em o ri es of vi n eyard s i n Ohio close beside
I recall o rch ards i n Del aware and th e p in k
Of p each t rees o n th e slope s of Lookout M ou n
t ai n
M em o ri es of si nu ou s tr ails t h at b raid
The b rea s ts of m ou ntai ns I feel agai n
Th e sh iveri n g awe with w h ich I faced
Th e S panish P eaks across t h e level l and
M emo ri es of o ran ge orch ards follow
A nd t h e S u nless deeps of Al abam ian swam ps
A nd t h e gleam of fir e fl ies i n t h e hot stil l night
T h ronging t h ick and o rderless as d reams
P i ct u res com e l ooped o n t h e t h read
Of sh i n ing w indin g t rail s
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I see o n ce m ore
! i n g S h ast a s violet and s ilve r c row n
S et h igh against t h e w inter stars
l llimit able as p ride and cold as deat h
S t H el en s ri s es a gloriou s m oon
Above deep p u rple sea s of t rackle s s woods
A soarin g s em i ci rcu lar do me of rose a nd s ilve
Lit by t h e fl am in g su ns et light
M a rvellou sly beautiful
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I desce n d again t he m ou nt ai n t rai l
Tow ard a m oo n lit my s te ry of l and and s ea
Outsp read below —t h e cano n w ate r calls
I smell t h e lemon bloom s and oranges
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P RA I R I E S O N G S
S pilled everyw he re ben eat h t he t rees
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W ild voices ech o leap in g from cl iff t o cliff
Th e p u rple l andscap e darke ns swiftly and
below
Glitte r t o s tars above
0 G od ! H ow beautiful !
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M em ories of skies
C loudless cobalt skies of level l ands
W h ere only s u n and sand ar e see n
R adiant s kies of A rizo nian dese rts
C alifornian ski es of w inte r
G ray skies w here t h e eu caly ptu s trees
Toss i n warm u nendin g rain
M emo ries of s kie s as blu e a s w rinkled seas
At m id day w h e n t h e w in ds blow
S u n ny skies
A rchin g som e silent M exican town
Wh e re d ark skin ned chi ld ren p l ay
U nt roubled game s b efo re t h e w alls
Of c ru mbling S p an ish missions
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I d rift o n C olu mbi a s cold gray w ate r ;
I s e e t h e fir clot hed ri my p eak s b u rst
ro m th e clouds t h ree t h ou sand feet
Above t h e n arrows wh ere t h e river
C h u rn s itself t o foam u po n t he lich en spott ed
rock s
I rid e t h rou gh te rrible forests i n gray
Th ick fallin g rai n ride an d r id e
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1 60
P R AI R I E SO N G S
S h adowed by cli ngi ng gray green moss ;
F e eling th e d rip of w et w i nd S h ake n fi r s
Lo s t i n waste s of giant fer n s
W here t h e wild d ee r feeds
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Th e su n ri s e bloom s agai n
O n t h e gloriou s Dakota s o d
1 p lant m y stake o n u nt racked l and
Th rilled wit h t h e w o nder and m arvel of it
I h ear th e gabble of w eary gee s e at s u n s et
A s t h ey p as s close t o e art h h u n gry an d timid
I h ear o n ce m o re t h e j ovial sh out
Of j ubilant l a n ds ee k e r and s ee
Th e crane s d an cing I n s h adowy row
Be s id e t h e s h allow p ool
Ove r me t h e s tars bloom o ut
A nd o n my blank et fall s t h e frost
Of t h e clear m id night
O t h e i rrevocable p ast !
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Oth er s cenes co m e b ac k
I wal k b eh ind t h e s eede r o n t h e m ellow s od
Of I owan p rairie s w arm wit h s u n
A rou nd and O ve r m e goes t h e n o rthward flight
Of millions of water fowl ; gop h ers w h istle ;
I t r a c e t h e awful circle of t h e c alli n g c rane
Ci rcling t h e s u n i n his flight I hear
Th e cho ru s of t h e p rai rie chi cken
I t oil o n i n th e red s u n set
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P RA I R I E S O NG S
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Wild wi nte r days rus h ove r m e
I see t h e woods teams slowly p ass
I h e ar t h e l ow sweet j i ngl e of t h e b e l l s
The w ate r d rops f rom sout he rn roofs
Th e mid day s u n d azzlin gly beautiful
S pill s blue sh adows o n t he u n s tain ed s no w
I h ear t he s ho uts of S kat er s i n t h e sw ales
I h ear t h e S h out s of axemen i n t h e p in es
Th e w olf sli p s by
S wift as w i nte r d ays
I n d ee p Wisco nsi n woods
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am
o n th e p rai ries again ;
S eamless dome s O f cl ou d
R ise i n t h e West h eavy w it h wi nd and s now
On ce again th e swift s now slides
Fitfully m en acingly and t he N orth e r co mes
Brin gin g s u n Se t at mid day ; and t h e weight
Of all w inte r i s o n t he p itiles s blast
Blind an d despe rat e I rid e and ride !
I lie ben eat h a sh anty roof and h ear
Th e h igh keyed fren zied p ip i ng p ersiste nt ho w l
Of t h e m id night wi nd and th e rushi ng ro ar
Of t h e st ream in g la s hi n g s n ow s
Th e re i s n o eart h no s k y
N ot hin g b ut s no w
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S now !
1 saw it rest on s helt e r i ng arm s of fi r
I saw it l ay old and sullen i n m ou ntai n pas s
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P R A I R I E SON G S
Ten thou sand feet above the sea I s a w
l t sa ff ro n with t h e wind blown s and s
O n old M ou nt Ou ray w h e re t he wind
H ad d ied at last of cold and wearine ss
Ac ro ss a wa s te of le ss er hills
The College G rou p s oars a wall
Of silve r b a s ed i n pu rple
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S now !
I rid e be hi nd a swift you ng ho rse
Be neat h b road Io w a n oaks ; th e bell s
M ake th e clear night m u s ical the Sk y
Low hu ng S plendid is frosty w ith stars
An d t he moon sail s on i n s ilence ;
H er wake of light lies o n t he c rusted snows
But s he sail s o n and o n beyond th e skies
Beyond t h e land of yout h and love
i nto the land of mystery
Beyo nd th e f a rt he rest West
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gloriou s days !
I can not lo s e you I will not
H ere i n t h e cu rre nt of my song
H e re I s weep you all toget he r
Th e h arve s t of a co nti nent t he fruit
Of a t hou sand d ays of t ravel
H ere w h e re neithe r time no r change
Can rob me of you S o
W h en I am old like a chained eagle
I can s it and d ream and d ream
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1 64
P R AI R I E S O N G S
Of S pl endid S p aces and t h e gl ea m
Of rivers and th e sm ell
Of p rai rie flowe rs
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S o I can live agai n
A bove t h e c louds and o n
Th e reeling h orse he ar t h e win d
R oarin g fro m d ark and wood ed can on s
S o w h en I h ave quit e fo rgot
The h e rit age of book s
I still S h all k n ow
Th e S plendo r an d m aj esty
Of m y n at ive land
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