James Ephraim McGirt

I'll not attempt the task
Of the Iliad to relate;
But I will tell of Hector
And how he met his fate.
...

God bless our home, land of the free,
And those who rule, who e'er they be;
Protect the flag, and let it wave
...

So oft I've read what poets sang of love,
To feel their joy far years in vain I sought;
At last love came, a cooing little dove;
...

God bless the sailors brave to-night
Upon the surging sea,
Who're fighting hard against the storm,
Protecting you and me.
...

What a balm for the mind the joyous spring,
What fragrant nectar its breezes bring;
How the babbling brook and the birds we hear,
...

Think not, my friend, if right be crushed today,
That violent wrong will ever hold the day;
A noble cause aside the kings may toast,
...

Two spirits are warring in my breast,
Each for the sway;
And each of me has made request—
Which to obey?
...

De peopl' call me a conger,
Jus' caus' I do som' tricks,
An' caus' I got dis lucky black cat bone,
Can gather roots to make tea wit',
...

De people call me er kunger,
Jes kase I du sum tricks;
Jes, kase I'se got dis lucky black bone.
Kan't gedder rutes fur tea
...

Oh, victorious Queen, it's through thy loyal grace
I bring this wreath—a token from my race;
True, thou art gone, no more on earth to meet;
...

In reading books from Adam's time,
And studying lives we call sublime,
I see so many stained with sin—
Virtue alone can make great men.
...

Wave on, wave on the air,
Oh flag that we have bought!
The Stars and Stripes for unity,
They tell for what we fought.
...

Weep not, friend, o'er your condition,
He who tries can find a way;
Labor, and to God petition,
Strive, and you will rise some day.
...

Oh, why should I deplore,
To have great wealth in store?
Haven't I health, food and shelter?
What need hath man for more?
...

Oh! the winter's coming,
Leaves are getting brown,
Hickory nuts and acorns
Falling to the ground
...

Sittin' by de windo',
Gazin' at de snow,
Up here in de Norf land,
No friends dat I know.
...

'Tain't no usen being skar'd of congers,
E'n lettin black cats turn ur back;
Jest go'n er bout yuh bisnes,
An let the congers hav yer track.
...

Satan's a robber;
He works day and night;
Go where you may
...

Upon a battlefield, when the smoke had cleared away,
I saw a woman strolling 'mong the dead;
It was a mother, feeble, old and gray;
...

If I should chance to spy love far at sea,
With outstretched arm beckoning unto me;
Though I bereft complete of spar and sail,
...