Over the River.
Reading edition
By Jane T. H. Cross.
Published in the Nashville Christian Advocate, 1861.
We hail your "stripes" and lessened "stars," As one may hail a neighbor; Now forward move! no fear of jars, With nothing but free labor; And we will mind our slaves and farm, And never wish you any harm, But greet you--over the river.
The self-same language do we speak, The same dear words we utter; Then let's not make each other weak, Nor 'gainst each other mutter; But let each go his separate way, And each will doff his hat, and say: "I greet you--over the river!"
Our flags, almost the same, unfurl, And nod across the border; Ohio's waves between them curl-- Our stripe's a little broader; May yours float out on every breeze, And, in our wake, traverse all seas-- We greet you--over the river!
We part, as friends of years should part, With pleasant words and wishes, And no desire is in our heart For Lincoln's loaves and fishes; "Farewell," we wave you from afar, We like you best--just where you are-- And greet you--over the river!