George Reginald Margetson, "Booker T. Washington" (1909)
And save thy people from corroding pride;
In thy right hand their lingering hopes reside,
Lead careful on!
With confidence they cleave thy shielded side,
And follow on!
Thou who dost come to lead a bonded tribe,
Dost lead with nimble speed and tak'st no bribe,
Dost all the Heaven -born virtues strong imbibe,
To move.it onTo thee my humble tribute I ascribe,
Pray, lead us on.
Thou, organizer of a shattered race,
Eternal sunshine gilds thy godly face,
We feel secure within thy firm embrace,
While marching on;
Thy name nor time nor memory shall erase,
Then lead us on!
Thou, benefactor to all human kind,
Dost weave the cord the races all to bind,
The God of Wisdom in thy head enshrined,
Directs thee on;
Obeyest thou the Superhuman mind,
And leadest on.
Up from the yoke of slavery forced thy flight,
Thou aimest ever for a greater light
A Moses sent-no ill begotten night
To bear us on;
Thy noble deep-grained principles unite,
And show us on.
Thou hast no time to rave at idle talk,
For prudent counsel glads thy heavenly walk.
And ever as astrong and prosperous bark
Thou plowest on,
With sober helm thou shootest for the mark,
Safe surging on.
Were I of keenly wit and vision bright,
And could but only wield my pen aright,
I'd paint the glory of the magic light,
That guides us on,
That from the deepest depths of darkest night
Directs us on.
Ye fools, who disapprove his plan today,
Who now attempt to check its giant sway,
Just be content to watch and see the way
He leads us on;
Immortal love his labours will repay
To lead us on.
Some day when all your gory tears are past,
When nevermore you feel oppression's blast,
You will rejoice to find that he at last,
Has led us on,
When at the goal of peace we anchor fast,
All clinging on.
Hail Washington! all hail, all hail to thee,
The wise and loving head of Tuskegee,
Who wields the parent rod of Industry
To lead us on.
Thou who would'st shape anation's destiny,
Still lead us on.
Published in Colored American Magazine, March 1909