Great Expectations

by Gerald Macy (public domain)

Oh never sit we down and say,
"There's nothing left but sore."
We walk the wilderness today,
The promise land tomorrow.

And though age wearies by the way,
And hearts break in the furrow.
We'll sow the golden grain today,
And harvest comes tomorrow.

Build up heroic lives,
And all be like the sheathen saber,
Ready to flash out at God's call,
Oh victory of labor.

Triumph and toil are twins,
And ay, joy's sun, the clouds of sorrow.
Ti's the martyrdom today,
Brings victory tomorrow.

(I shared this at the commencment of my eighth grade graduation.)