WHERE is the minstrel's native land? <br />Where the flames of light and feeling glow; <br />Where the flowers are wreathed for beauty's brow; <br />Where the bounding heart swells strong and high, <br />With holy hopes which may not die-- <br />There is my native land! <br /> <br />What is that bright land's music name? <br />Ere it bent its neck to a foreign yoke, <br />It was called the land of the broad strong oak-- <br />The land of the free--the German land-- <br />But her sons lie slain by the stranger's hand, <br />And she weeps sad tears of shame. <br /> <br />Why does the minstrel's country weep? <br />That the hurricane's rage hath bowed the pride <br />Of those who should stem the rising tide; <br />That her princes quail--and that none will hear <br />Her holy words of might and fear-- <br />Therefore my land must weep! <br /> <br />To whom does the minstrel's country call? <br />It calls to the silent heavenly powers, <br />With despair, as the thunder darkly lowers, <br />For its freedom--for those who should break its chain-- <br />For the hand that never strikes in vain-- <br />To these doth my country call! <br /> <br />For what does the minstrel's country sigh? <br />That the bloodhound may hunt beyond the bound <br />Of the soil which brave hearts make holy ground; <br />That the serf may cease; and our sons be free, <br />Or those who have borne them, cease to be-- <br />For this does my country sigh! <br /> <br />And still doth the minstrel's country hope? <br />Her hope is firm, for her cause is good-- <br />That her brave will rise, and her true in blood; <br />And that God the avenger, our fathers' God, <br />Will mark the tears that bedew her sod-- <br />Such is my country's hope!<br /><br />Caroline Elizabeth Sarah Norton<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/my-native-land-2/
