Poems for the Sea/Thanksgiving Day on Shore

by Lydia Sigourney

THANKSGIVING DAY AT SEA.

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Sons of the boisterous sea,
   With joyous hearts we share
The blessings of this happy land,
   Which heaven hath made its care;

Whose glorious flag is borne
   High o'er the ocean's breast,
Whose strong-winged eagle proudly makes
   Among the stars his nest.

Not with the cup that drains
   Our best resolves away,

And leaves its poison in our veins,
   We keep the feast this day,

But from the fearful cloud
   Of dark intemperance free,
We thank the Giver of our joys,
   The God of earth and sea;

And if in faithful love
   His precepts we obey,
The whole of life's short voyage may prove
   Like this Thanksgiving day.