To the Returning Brave

COME home! The Land that sent you forthFrom East and West, from South and North,Looks wistfully beyond her gates,Extends her arms and waits—and waits!

At duty's call she stilled her woe;She smiled through tears and bade you goTo face the death you would not shun.Brave hearts, return! Your task is done.

Not as you journeyed come you back!A glory is about your trackOf deeds that vanquished tyrannyAnd set a tortured people free:

Deeds, sprung of manhood's finest grace,That envious Time shall not efface;Deeds that proclaim a Nation's worth,And crown the Land that gave them birth.

America but waits to greetAnd bless you, kneeling at her feet,Your standards fair in honor furled,The proudest mother in the world!

Come home! The Land that sent you forthFrom East and West, from South and North,Looks wistfully beyond her gates,Extends her arms and waits!