A
Buckeye Home Coming
503
A BUCKEYE HOME
COMING.
THOMAS M. EARL.
[This poem was written to be sung at the
Home Coming of the
Buckeyes at Columbus Ohio, September
2-6, 1907.]
My native state, Ohio
Once more thy sward I tread,
Once more my eyes behold thy skies
Of azure overspread.
I breathe again thy buoyant air
I taste thy waters cool,
And feel the joy of growing boy
By the old swimming pool.
I've wandered in the Westlands,
And East I've chanced to roam,
But never yet could ere forget
Ohio as my home.
I loved its meadows, peaceful streams,
The vine-clad cottage low
Where first the light broke on my sight
In time so long ago.
With clasp again of friendly hands,
And heart-to-heart commune,
Dull cares take wing while memories
bring
Aback life's time of June,
When golden goals rose fair to view
And high hopes burned sublime,
When Love was young, and all unsung
The vicissitudes of time.
Who would not be a Buckeye
And proud with Buckeye stand
To own the great Ohio state,
The fairest in the land?
Come, raise a carol to her praise,
The grand old chorus swell:-
Our prayer shall be, fair state with
thee
Heaven's peace may ever dwell.