Our Homeland Alleghenies

by Laura Tarr, Singing in the Wilderness, 1960

There is naught ‘neath heaven’s ramparts
Like the mountains’ great domains,
Nor in all of earthly splendor
As the Alleghenies range.
Seen in Springtime’s pristine beauty,
Like a maiden’s, youthful, fair,
Or when Summer’s fulsome promise
Bows to Autumn’s handsome flair.
Here the evergreens majestic,
Tower in lofty disdain,
Ruling monarch o’er a kingdom
Bowered beneath a kingly mien.
Cherry, maple, oak and hemlock,
Flaunt the colors and their wares,
Giving shadow and a shelter
To the deer, the fox, the bear,
Squirrels place their claims as squatters,
Myriad birds trill resonant melody,
And the whistle of the pheasant
Lingers sweet on hillside scree.
Here a lovely valley nestles,
Close beside a pleasant vale,
There the music of a brooklet,
Cheerily wending down the dale.
Over all the sunlight glimmers,
With healing beams here and there,
Brings God’s blessing to the people
Who breathe His clean mountain air.
Here in panoramic vision
Is scenic beauty unsurpassed,
Rivaling any of the wonders,
On any continent, first and last.
Is there one who dares to question,
How this earth came to be made?
Let him look on our Alleghenies,
And give to God just praise.
For his wondrous love creations,
Here and there o’er all the earth;
And our beautiful, mountainous homeland,
The lovely Alleghenies, land of our birth.