Woodman, spare that tree! Touch not a single bough! In youth it sheltered me, And I'll protect it now. 'Twas my forefather's hand That placed it near his cot; There, woodman, let it stand, Thy axe shall harm it not. That old familiar tree, Whose glory and renown Are spread o'er land and sea-- And wouldst thou hew it down? Woodman, forebear thy stroke! Cut not its earth-bound ties; Oh, spare that aged oak, Now towering to the skies! When but an idle boy, I sought its grateful shade; In all their gushing joy Here, too, my sisters played. My mother kissed me here; My father pressed my hand-- Forgive this foolish tear, But let that old oak stand. My heart-strings round thee cling, Close as thy bark, old friend! Here shall the wild-bird sing, And still thy branches bend. Old tree! the storm still brave! And, woodman, leave the spot; While I've a hand to save, thy axe shall harm it not. The Cottager's Welcome. Hard by I've a cottage that stands near the wood-- A stream glides in peace at the door-- Where all who will tarry, 'tis well understood, Receive hospitality's store. To cheer that the brook and the thicket afford, The stranger we ever invite: You're welcome to freely partake at the board, And afterwards rest for the night. The birds in the morning will sing from the trees, And herald the young god of day; Then, with him uprising, depart if you please-- We'll set you refreshed on the way: You're coin for our service we sternly reject; No traffic for gain we pursue, And all the reward that we wish or expect We take in the good that we do. Mankind are all pilgrims on life's weary road, And many would wander astray In seeking Eternity's silent abode, Did Mercy not point out the way! If all would their duty discharge as they should To those who are friendless and poor, The world would resemble my cot near the wood, And life the sweet stream at my door. The Land of Washington. I glory in the sages Who, in the days of yore, In combat met the foemen, And drove them from our shore. Who flung our banner's starry field In triumph to the breeze, And spread broad maps of cities where Once waved the forest-trees. --Hurrah!-- I glory in the spirit Which goaded them to rise And found a might nation Beneath the western skies. No clime so bright and beautiful As that where sets the sun; No land so fertile, fair, and free, As that of Washington --Hurrah!-- The Flag of our Union. "A song for our banner?"--The watchword recall Which gave the Republic her station: "United we stand--divided we fall!"-- It made and preserves us a nation! The union of lakes--the union of lands-- The union of States none can sever-- The union of hearts--the union of hands-- And the Flag of the Union for ever And ever! The Flag of our Union for ever!