OVER THE HILLS
"Over the hills and far away,"
That is what sweet poets say;
But all the hills that I can see
Are in the state of Tennessee.
Tis nature's boundary firm and strong;
Will last for age on ages long.
They bound the nation long ago
From Indians who went to and fro
In hunting, fishing, savage wars,
And cruelties practiced without cause.
This held the white man captive here;
To go beyond: it was their fear.
It closed such wonders from their sight—
The vast domain that was their right,—
The peaceful beauty of these hills,
The vales and falls, the caves and rills,
The mines and rocks and pasture land,
The gardens, stocks and wheat so grand,
The scenes of beauty all around,
The corn and grain that here abound,
The apple orchard, grapes and fruit,
For any palate they will suit.
It seems no riches can be found
That is not in this land around.
That is what sweet poets say;
But all the hills that I can see
Are in the state of Tennessee.
Tis nature's boundary firm and strong;
Will last for age on ages long.
They bound the nation long ago
From Indians who went to and fro
In hunting, fishing, savage wars,
And cruelties practiced without cause.
This held the white man captive here;
To go beyond: it was their fear.
It closed such wonders from their sight—
The vast domain that was their right,—
The peaceful beauty of these hills,
The vales and falls, the caves and rills,
The mines and rocks and pasture land,
The gardens, stocks and wheat so grand,
The scenes of beauty all around,
The corn and grain that here abound,
The apple orchard, grapes and fruit,
For any palate they will suit.
It seems no riches can be found
That is not in this land around.
But when these hills at last were scaled,
From this fair land so many hailed,
To reach a greater country far
From this fair land so many hailed,
To reach a greater country far
[4]
