Explore "Hymn of Futility" by C.J. Dennis on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
Lord, Thou hast given unto us a land. / In Thy beneficence Thou has ordained / That we should hold a country great and grand, / Such as no race of old has ever gained. / A favoured people, basking in Thy smile: / So dost Thou leave us to work out our fate; / But, Lord, be patient yet a little while. / The shade is pleasing and our task is great.
Lo, Thou hast said: "This land I give to you / To be the cradle of a mighty race, / Who shall take up the White Man's task anew, / And all the nations of the world outpace. / No heritage for cowards or for slaves, / Here is a mission for the brave, the strong. / Then see ye to it, lest dishonoured graves / Bear witness that he tarried overlong."