SONG OF THE ROAD

I am a Road; a good road, fair and smooth and broad;

And I link with my beautiful tether

Town and Country together,

Like a ribbon rolled on the earth, from the reel of God.

Oh, great the life of a Road!

I am a Road; a long road, leading on and on;

And I cry to the world to follow,

Past meadow and hill and hollow,

Through desolate night, to the open gates of dawn.

Oh, bold the life of a Road!

I am a Road; a kind road, shaped by strong hands.

I make strange cities neighbours;

The poor grow rich with my labours,

And beauty and comfort follow me through the lands.

Oh, glad the life of a Road!

I am a Road; a wise road, knowing all men's ways;

And I know how each heart reaches

For the things dear Nature teaches;

And I am the path that leads into green young Mays.

Oh, sweet the life of a Road!

I am a Road; and I speed away from the slums,

Away from desolate places,

Away from unused spaces;

Wherever I go, there order from chaos comes.

Oh, brave the life of a Road!

I am a Road; and I would make the whole world one.

I would give hope to duty,

And cover the earth with beauty.

Do you not see, O men! how all this might be done?

So vast the power of the Road!