Our Youth

Name the goal of tomorrow,

Hoary sages of the earth,

Of a world that's free from sorrow,

Of the end to crime and dearth

Of the principles of honor

That are written but not won.

Set the goal -- name the venture --

And our youth will get it done.

Set the task you've tried, but failed in,

All you puzzled diplomats --

Bringing order out of chaos,

Bringing peace to earth.  And that's

Quite the most that you can hope for,

As you watch your setting sun.

Raise the beacon, then, for others --

And our youth will get it done.

Shield your lamp of truth that's dimming,

You who rule at wisdom's shrine.

The horizon.  It will shine

On the world in fullest glory,

After your last journey's run.

Teach the thing that most needs doing --

And our youth will get it done.

Cry your truth of Christian living,

You who proselyte and preach,

Sometimes grasping at a vision,

Seemingly beyond the reach,

Or despairing at the labor

You had hopefully begun.

Write your creed upon a banner --

And our youth will get it done.

Ah, that's the way the world goes moving

Up to ever newer heights,

Through the channels that are grooving

Toward the distant day of rights.

Thus each heroic generation

Adds its mite of something won.

So hand the torch, in high elation,

And our youth will get it done.

(Copyright, 1940)