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Land of My Love

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Review and Herald Publishing Association · Takoma Park Station, Washington, D. C. · Nov 6, 1913

FromReview and Herald, Vol. 90, No. 45.

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Land of My Love

By Arthur W. Spaulding

ARTHUR W. SPAULDING
LAND of my love, to which, in dreams of night, My exiled heart went roving on its quest; Back to your valleys green, your wooded heights, I hasten, urged by duty's glad behest.
Far, far from you, I yet have urged your cause, Have told your glories, plead your urgent needs; Pained, when the force of fortune made me pause; Glad, when my will of service made the deed.
Now, burning plain and jagged mountain wall, Lying in purple threat across the sky, Oppose in vain my answer to the call That bids me home with speeding ardor fly.
Soon, soon the shackling hours shall part That hold me prisoned from my sweet desire; Swift, swift there nears the harbor of my heart, Almost discerned my altar's kindling fire.
So glows the joy of earthly habitat, So leaps the fervor of my duty's flame. How, if my ardent spirit fires at that, How shall it burn at one more precious name?
O Heaven, if my toil may be as true, My heart as little alien in exile, If I may spend myself as far for you, Then here my stay is but a little while.
Albuquerque, N. Mex.