African American Poetry: A Digital Anthology

J. Pauline Smith, "Anniversary Song" (1922)

 ANNIVERSARY SONG 
 TUNE: "Battle Hymn of the Republic." 
 (Written for and sung at Detroit Y.W.C.A. February, 1916.) 
 
 To-day we have a sisterhood that wide its flag unfurls, 
 And sends afar its bugle note to ever-widening worlds, 
 Because fifty years ago there was some one who thought of girls! 
 We girls are marching on. 
 
                          CHORUS : 
       Praise Jehovah for our founders! 
       Praise Jehovah for our founders! 
       Praise Jehovah for our founders! 
       We girls are marching on! 
 
 To shield them from the Tempter who so swift  his arrow hurls, 
 And daily seeks to them engulf in follies' madd'ning whirls, 
 Just fifty years ago there was some one who thought of girls! 
 We girls are marching on ! 
 
 To show those hours have enterprise that're girt with song of merles, 
 To teach them how to work aright and seek all goodly pearls, 
 Just fifty years ago this month somebody thought of girls! 
 We girls are marching on! 


Published in Exceeding Riches, 1922

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