The Song Of Iowa Poem by Samuel Hawkins Marshall Byers

1. You ask what land I love the best,
Iowa, tis Iowa,
The fairest State of all the west,
Iowa, O ! Iowa.
From yonder Mississippi s stream
To where Missouri s waters gleam
O ! fair it is as poet s dream,
Iowa, in Iowa.

2. See yonder fields of tasselled corn,
Iowa, in Iowa,
Where Plenty fills her golden horn,
Iowa, O! Iowa,
See how her wondrous prairies shine
To yonder sunset s purpling line,
O ! happy land, O ! land of mine,
Iowa, in Iowa.

3. And she has maids whose laughing eyes,
Iowa, O! Iowa,
To him who loves were Paradise,
Iowa, O ! Iowa.
O ! happiest fate that e’er was known
Such eyes to shine for one alone
To call such beauty all his own,
Iowa, O ! Iowa.

4. Go read the story of thy past,
Iowa, O! Iowa,
What glorious deeds, what fame thou hast!
Iowa, O! Iowa.
So long as time s great cycle runs,
Or nations weep their fallen ones,
Thou lt not forget thy patriot sons,
Iowa, O! Iowa.