Over the River
Published in the Nashville Christian Advocate, 1861
We hail your “stripes” and lessened “stars,”
As one may hail a neighbor;
Now forward move! no fear of jars,
With nothing but free labor;
And we will mind our slaves and farm,
And never wish you any harm,
But greet you—over the river.
The self-same language do we speak,
The same dear words we utter;
Then let’s not make each other weak,
Nor ’gainst each other mutter;
But let each go his separate way,
And each will doff his hat, and say:
“I greet you—over the river!”
Our flags, almost the same, unfurl,
And nod across the border;
Ohio’s waves between them curl—
Our stripe’s a little broader;
May yours float out on every breeze,
And, in our wake, traverse all seas—
We greet you—over the river!
We part, as friends of years should part,
With pleasant words and wishes,
And no desire is in our heart
For Lincoln’s loaves and fishes;
“Farewell,” we wave you from afar,
We like you best—just where you are—
And greet you—over the river!