Ohio History Journal


Centennial Tribute to Ohio

Centennial Tribute to Ohio.            181

 

Oh, the tasseled corn for the whole broad land

For the Union no power can sever;

But the buckeye brown for the Buckeye State

Shall be our badge forever.

 

 

CENTENNIAL TRIBUTE TO OHIO.

 

BY JOHN HOPLEY.

Hail, fair OHIO, from the great Northwest,

The first established free state and the best;

Where bounteous Nature spread with lavish hand

A fertile soil throughout this favored land,

And filled the tree-crowned hills with varied stores

Of inexhaustible and precious ores,

Where flowing streams combine with inland seas

And stately forests, rustling in the breeze,

To make thee "beautiful"- with pride elate

We pay this tribute to our glorious state.

 

But greater than by produce of her mines

And fertile fields, our fair OHIO shines;

Her earnest sons in every land are found

Where enterprise with rich reward is crowned;

And whether nerve in act or nerve in brain

Be in demand OHIO's sons sustain

The glory of their State and, prominent

In deed or council, still are dominant;

'Tis thus Ohio men build up her fame

And by their greatness glorify her name;

Though precious ores and corn and wine and oil,

Be the rich product of her fertile soil,

Yet most we glory in her greatness, when,

She demonstrates her chiefest product - MEN.

Bucyrus, Ohio.