OVER THE RIVER
by Jane T.H. Cross

We hail your "Stripes" and lessened "Stars,"
    As one may hail a neighbor;
Now forward  move! no fear of jars,
    With nothing but free labor;
And we will mind our slaves and farm,
And never wish you any harm,
    But greet you -- o'er the river.
    
The self-same language do we speak,
    The same dear words we utter;
Then let's not make each other weak,
    Nor 'gainst each other mutter;
But let each go his separate way,
And each will doff his hat, and say:
    "I greet you -- over the river!"
    
Our flags, almost the same, unfurl,
    And nod across the border;
Ohio's waves between them curl --
    Our stripe's a little broader;
May yours float out on every breeze,
And, in our wake, traverse all seas --
    We greet you -- over the river!
    
We part as friends of years should part,
    With pleasant words and wishes,
And no desire is in our heart
    For Lincoln's loaves and fishes:
"Farewell," we wave you from afar,
We like you best -- just where you are --
    And greet you -- over the river!

The Home Front

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Last modified 16-April-2001