All you who on your acres broad, Know nature in its charms, With pictured dale and fruitful sod, And herds on verdant farms,
Remember those who fought the trees And early hardships braved, And so for us of all degrees All from the forest saved.
And you who stroll in leisured ease Along your city squares, Thank those who there have fought the trees, And howling wolves and bears.
They met the proud woods in the face, Those gloomy shades and stern; Withstood and conquered, and your race Supplants the pine and fern.
Where'er we look, their work is there; Now land and men are free: On every side the view grows fair, And perfect yet shall be.
The credit's theirs, who all day fought The stubborn giant hosts: We have but built on what they wrought; Theirs were the honor-posts.
Though plain their lives and rude their dress, No common men were they; Some came for scorn of slavishness That ruled lands far away;
And some came here for conscience’ sake, For Empire and the King; And some for Love a home to make, Their dear ones here to bring.
First staunch men left, for Britain's name, The South's prosperity; And Highland clans from Scotland came — Their sires had aye been free;
And England oft her legions gave To found a race of pluck, And ever came the poor and brave And took the axe and struck.
Each hewed, and saw a dream-like home!— Hewed on — a settlement! Struck hard — through mists the spire and dome The distant rim indent!
So honored be they midst your ease, And give them well their due, Honor to those who fought the trees And made a land for you!
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