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| Blue hills in Conway, Massachusetts; photo by Jeff Forcier on Flickr (noncommercial use permitted with attribution / share alike). |
Last week, and ode to Massachusetts. This week, the official poem of Massachusetts designated in 1981.
The Blue Hills of Massachusetts
by Katherine E. Mullen
Massachusetts! Massachusetts!
Lovely Bay State by the sea,
Chosen by the Pilgrim Fathers
In their search for liberty.
Massachusetts! Massachusetts!
How we love your Indian name!
Meaning "Great Blue Hill" in Boston,
Named before the white men came.
High locations in the distance,
Are serene, majestic blue,
Like Mount Greylock or Wachusett,
They are fascinating, too.
But from Boston to the Berkshires,
Lesser heights are bathed in blue,
In early dawn or distance,
Like the "Great Hill" Indians knew.
Close to Nature lived the Red Man,
Keen to every form and hue,
Knew the paths, and streams, and wildlife,
And the hills around him, too.
On the wide base of "Great Blue Hill,"
Lived the Massachuset tribe,
Kept their Great Chief's Pilgrim Treaty
While the good man was alive.
Made in faith with Governor Carter,
Sixteen hundred twenty-one,
Kept for forty years, sincerely,
Till his death in sixty-one!
Show the Chief in deerskin brown,
Proudly holding firm his strong-bow,
And one arrow, pointing down.
With our State Star just above,
Tribute to a noble Indian,
Loyal history that we love!
Gentle hillsides and green valleys,
Make our lives so pleasant here,
While the ever-changing seasons
Bring glad contrasts through the year.
Autumn foliage is so brilliant
It is known throughout the world!
Crimson, gold, and blazing orange
In exultant praise unfurled.
But by Christmas time in winter,
There's a wonderland of snow!
Everywhere, a lovely picture
Anywhere that we might go.
And the vigor of the climate
With the challenges we meet,
Make our lives in Massachusetts,
A delightful bitter-sweet!
Massachusetts! Massachusetts!
What a splendid history!
Like our great and glorious Nation,
In its strength for Liberty!
Massachusetts! Massachusetts!
Keep the faith true pride instills!
May our trust in you be steadfast,
As the everlasting hills!
Lucky you! We have none. I think it is motivating to have that. Yippeee to you! :-)
ReplyDeleteYou need to write a song for Henry
DeleteI need to look up where Conway, MA is. I don't know that name at all. I do know where Conway, NH is though. Happy Saturday CJ!
ReplyDeleteConway, MA is out by Springfield
Delete🙂
ReplyDeleteWe have nothing better to do but sing
DeleteLovely song! Enjoy your weekend! Valerie
ReplyDelete😊
DeleteKatherine Mullen obviously loves/loved her state.
ReplyDeleteHave a creative weekend.
there's a lot to love here
Deletethat poem is so beautiful. i would love to visit there some day.
ReplyDeleteLots to see and do
DeleteSorry I am late visiting. I've had company since Friday and they are now on their way back to CA.
ReplyDeleteI can tell that poem is from the last century, because we no longer call Native Americans "Indians." She certainly loves her state, though!
or use the term Red Man
DeleteOurs is "Oh Tennessee, My Tennessee”. To be honest, these days I don't feel the pride :(
ReplyDeleteYou need to dump Blackburn
Delete