Thanksgiving by Mary Charlotte Billings

 Thanksgiving

Three centuries ago there came
Unto a strange, new land
Pilgrims journeying from afar,
A grave, God-fearing band.
Crossing an unknown ocean
That their children might be free,
They made their home where forests grim
Shadowed a lonely sea.
And down the years the story comes
Of men and women brave,
Who knelt in thankful worship
Beside an alien wave,
No gold had they, or silver,
No cities rich and fair,
But grateful hearts gave thanks to God,
Whose guidance brought them there.
So now when dark November comes
And winds grow bleak and cold,
When all the land is rich with food,
And grain is bright as gold,
With simple words we thank our God,
and at firesides we pray,
When homefolk gather from afar,
To keep Thanksgiving Day