Your strains are as high as the cloud-covered mountains, As deep as the ocean, as wide as the land, As pure as the murmurs of silvery fountains, But loud as the roar on the billowy strand. Our deep-furrowed prairies, our ship-laden rivers, Our ax-ringing forests, our steam-shrieking bays, Swell high in your music, for all are free givers To freedom's true grandeur and liberty's praise. How fondly, dear songs of my country, ye cherish The struggle heroic, the God-shapen deed, That nothing of worthiness ever may perish But live to the time of humanity's need! Afar from the realms of the centuries olden, Ye summon with gladness the glories of years, To greet every hero with cadences golden, And sing every sage that in greatness appears. The ages may falter thee, Land of my Birth, The years may thy grandeur and glory betray; But long as thy songs murmur over the earth, No forces can carry thy splendors away! Then live, ye dear songs of my country, forever, With voices eternal to utter her name, That cycles may never her liberty sever, Nor trample her greatness nor crumble her fame! JULY FOURTH. Hail, glorious morning of Columbia's birth, Celestial dawn of freedom! There shall be In recognition of thy wondrous worth By mighty millions this side of the sea, Triumphant crowns of laurel wreathed for thee! Welcome thy mammoth pageants, welcome all The choral songs and melodies of glee, The swelling shouts of praise that gladly fall From mighty multitudes in anthems national! High hangs the sacred banner, and the stars Dance in the sunshine, while the breezes play Around the glory of the hallowed bars Gleaming in white and crimson; music gay Floats from the patriot host and cheers array Great shouts around its foldings. Long in state, Flag of the brave and free, wave o'er this day To bring the world rejoicings which await The natal hours of might, the day we celebrate! How fears the tyrant in his capital, As myriad wires throb with the nation's tale! How despot trembles in his castled hall, When liberty's wild shouts of power prevail, And give their gladness unto every gale! Fetters and chains dissolve in holy trust, Scepters and swords in puny weakness fail, While crowns and thrones make monumental dust, And kingly Might is dead, Oppression downward thrust. Wide float thy wondrous pæans; loudly range Thy songs of holy rapture; and the roars Of deep-mouthed cannons echo wild and strange Through shouting cities; Patriotism pours Her full libations on the trembling shores, Till earth reels with her triumph; and the voice Of millions mad with merriment far soars From sea to ocean with entrancing noise, Till nations hear the cry and continents rejoice.