Poems (White)/Christ of the Andes
CHRIST OF THE ANDES
The Andes Highland, God's great fence, To hold each country, in a sense, To his own land, and not to disturb The other's place by act or word. This peace at one time seemed to be A little trembling on the sea Of controversy, to tell which Should have some land; upon the hitch Of this a hot wind did soon fan, And that's how talk of war began. But e'er each other's blood was shed, God sent His shepherds, and they led These countries into peaceful folds, Within the arms of Christ, who holds His dripping hands above their head, And tells them, "Peace, Good Will," instead. So Argentine, and Chile too, Across these mountains did pass through, And clasping each the other's hand, Claimed they would live on Christian land. And so the blood that Christ had spilt Redeemed them from this awful guilt.
Lift high this emblem there—as well—Europe!—These great nations tell That He who shed His blood for all Is pleading, and upon them call To celebrate this Christmas day. All honor and rich tribute pay By planting high that all may see, The cross, His mighty Christmas tree. 'Twill live on snow clad mountain peaks, Or in hot desert lands you seek, And all its fruit your land will fill, "Of Peace on earth, to man Good Will."