Front matter

To Thee, My Native Land, America! My heart with pride is filled: my lips exult Because Thou art my Home—my Fatherland. Beneath the Constellation of the States, Set in the firmament of fadeless blue, I bare my head and hail the Stars and Stripes, Proud Emblem of our Unity and Might. My Country calls! I give what I possess,— All! All I say! and giving thus, regret That my poor contribution to thy needs, In hours of peril when dark war-clouds loom, Is such a paltry thing When measured by the debt of gratitude I owe for Liberty. All that I am and have belongs to Thee. Upon thy Altar Fires, Where Freedom glows and glorifies Mankind, I consecrate My flood-tide strength, my substance—life itself! And rate not this as sacrifice That gives me pleasure to repay In this small way Thy boon and bounty, priceless Liberty.