The Rose of Sharon

 

Pallid night was withdrawing,

The young sun kissed the morning,

And I saw the dew-dawning

Like jewels on the Roses of Sharon.

 

Born the child of adversity,

Through flood, blight and poverty,

In the teeth of perversity,

Proud and strong grew the Roses of Sharon.

 

Though crowns of thorn seek to tear them,

Weeds choke branch bud and stem,

The winds daily sing their requiem,

Enduring are the Roses of Sharon.

 

Chopped back to their roots,

Stripped bare of their fruits,

None can ever uproot,

The flags of freedom which are the Roses of Sharon.