Ocaasion of their silver-wedding, September 15, 1888) <br /> <br />Land that shall be <br />Thither, when thwarted our longings, we sail,- <br />Sighs to the clouds, that we breathe when we fail, <br />Form a mirage of rich valley and mead <br />Over our need,- <br />Visions revealing the future until <br />Faith shall fulfil,- <br />The land that shall be. <br /> <br />Land that shall be! <br />All of our labor to sow seeds of gain <br />Grows in the ages when <br />our <br />names shall wane, <br />Gathered with others', 't is stored in the true <br />Will to renew. <br />This then shall carry our labor within, <br />Safely within <br />The land that shall be. <br /> <br />Land that shall be! <br />Tears that are shed over evil's foul blight, <br />Blood-sweat in conflict to win higher right, <br />Hallow the will unto victory's cost. <br />Let us be lost, <br />Rooting out wrong, that the good we may sow, <br />Soon overgrow <br />The land that shall be. <br /> <br />Land that shall be! <br />Looming in beauty of colors and song, <br />Golden in sunlight that glad makes and strong, <br />Present in children's eyes, looking to-day <br />Down when you pray. <br />Winning good victories gives us the power <br />To own a brief hour <br />The land that shall be.<br /><br />Bjørnstjerne Bjørnson<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/the-land-that-shall-be-dedicated-to-herman-anker-and-m-anker-on-the/
