Nancy Hanks

Prairie child, Brief as dew, What winds of wonder Nourished you? Rolling plains Of billowy green, Far horizons, Blue, serene; Lofty skies The slow clouds climb, Where burning stars Beat out the time: These, and the dreams Of fathers bold, Baffled longings, Hopes untold, Gave to you A heart of fire, Love like deep waters, Brave desire. Ah, when youth's rapture Went out in pain, And all seemed over, Was all in vain? O soul obscure, Whose wings life bound, And soft death folded Under the ground; Wilding lady, Still and true, Who gave us Lincoln And never knew: To you at last Our praise, our tears, Love and a song Through The nation’s years! Mother of Lincoln, Our tears, our praise; A battle-flag And the victor's bays!