A Prairie Prayer

I am a humble man Who takes a noble stand To owe myself to God and to The bounty of the land To all that He hath placed upon The fine and blessed earth The hills of my existence The valley of my birth The sky to give her glory The fire to keep her warm The clouds to give her cover The rain to bring a storm The tree of my own ancestry The branch of my descend The roots of life to bear unto The leaf to catch the wind The river of my flowing dream The brook to drift along The stream to gather to it The rock to make her strong To all that He hath sown upon For all of man to reap For all that man hath grown upon His brother not to weep May the harvest be fulfilling May the hungry all be fed May the bounty be rewarding May the homeless find a bed Let the combines in a row Lay the golden swath ahead Leave her stems upon the soil Lift her heart onto a bed Her yellow fleece surpasses Like a wisp of morning air Her glory gives a comfort Always meant to give and share Let the belts across the land Lift the load of heavy grain Reach the height of their extent Fill the bins upon the plain Haste the cars toward the coast Heavy loads upon the rail Harbor ports along the shore Help the ships be set to sail Let the needy be provided With a meal they can afford Let us pray unto the heavens Giving thanks unto the Lord