The Kansas Emigrants
by
John Greenleaf Whittier
(1807-1892)

We cross the prairie as of old
The pilgrims crossed the sea
To make the West, as they the East,
The homestead of the free!

We go to rear a wall of men
On Freedom's southern line
And plant beside the cotton-tree
The rugged Northern pine!

We're flowing from our native hills
As our free rivers flow:
The blessing of our Mother-land
Is on us as we go.

We go to plant her common schools
On distant prairie swells,
And give the Sabbaths of the wild
The music of her bells.