The Spirit of Freedom

By Joseph Longking Townsend

O say can you see, with a Patriot’s eyes,
Our country’s vast Union from ocean to ocean?
Our glorious land, where our freedom we prize

And love in our hearts, with true, loyal devotion?
‘Tis the land of the free, where people can see
The plan Heaven gave for the world’s liberty: —
And the Spirit of Freedom, from her lofty shrine,
Shall light all the world with her message divine!

Our country has grown and extended afar,
Its progress becoming the world’s revelation:
Our sages of Peace and our heroes of War

Alike have renown in the courts of each nation.
Let prejudice cease, let our portals increase,
And Liberty give her endowments of Peace,
And the Spirit of Freedom, from her lofty shrine,
Shall light all the world with her message divine!

No tyrant shall rule on American soil,
But Freedom shall ever extend her dominion.
The years shall bring peace, and intelligence foil

The errors of strife and of selfish opinion.
Through the trials we’ve passed have our virtues been cast,
And our country, safe-guarded, forever shall last;
And the Spirit of Freedom, from her lofty shrine.
Shall light all the world with her message divine!

(1914)