Verse for the day by son of Antigonish J.D. Logan. This version is taken from his Songs of the Makers of Canada and Other Homeland Lyrics (Toronto: Briggs, 1911).
LAND BLEST WITH YOUTH
An Ode for Thanksgiving Day
Land blest with youth and strength, with wealth and peace—These are thy dower with which to rear a realmWhere men shall own their full enfranchisementIn recompense for purer purposesThan elder empires' sordid gluttonies.These are senescent now. The frosts of FateHave touched their Tree of Life: the blighted leavesAre dropping swift and yellowing in decayAutumnal:—and in His own time Who plansThe universal destiny and doom,Profoundest glacial snows shall cover themAnd no requick'ning sun shall rise to meltTheir gelid grave. Forever they shall lieWrapt up in silence in their lethal bed.But thou, young Titan of the West, whose yearsAre leafy yet, thy branches full of sap,And green already with Life's ampler deeds,Give thanks, this day, for thy predestined task!For He whose throne is everywhere, and guidesThe courses of the million million worlds,Hath consecrated thee—thy youth and strength,Thy peace and gifts of earthly plenitude—To service for our race—disquietedBy Mammon's crew—till we at length beholdThe Dayspring of the Brotherhood of Man.Give thanks, and trust thy sons, O Canada—Their prayers are with thee and their present deedsAre fateful of the nobler race to come!E'en now upon thy brow the radiance shinesOf lofty Statehood, unassorted and free,While unseen hands unfold thy destiny.
Wishing all a happy and safe Thanksgiving.
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