This is My Father's World by Maltbie D. Babcock
The earth is the Lord's and the fullness thereof . . . Psalm 24:1
This is my Father's world:
And to my listening ears
All nature sing and 'round me rings
The music of the spheres
This is my Father's world:
I rest me in the thought
Of rocks and trees, of skies and seas
His hand the wonders wrought.
This is my Father's world:
The birds their carols raise,
The morning light, the lily white,
Declare their Maker's praise
This is my Father's world:
He shines in all that's fair:
In the rustling grass
I hear Him pass
He speaks to me every where
This is my Father's world:
O let me ne'er forget
That though the wrong seems oft so strong
God is the ruler yet.
This is my Father's world:
The Battle is not done;
Jesus who died shall be satisfied
And earth and heaven be one.
Plant a Garden by Edgar A. Guest
If your purse no longer bulges
and you've lost your golden treasure,
If times you think you're lonely
and have hungry grown for pleasure,
Don't sit by your hearth and grumble,
don't let mind and spirit harden.
If it's thrills of joy you wish for
get to work and plant a garden!
If it's drama that you sigh for,
plant a garden and you'll get it
You will know the thrill of battle
fighting foes that will beset it
If you long for entertainment and
for pageantry most glowing,
Plant a garden and this summer spend
your time with green things growing.
If it's comradeship you sight for,
learn the fellowship of daisies.
You will come to know your neighbor
by the blossoms that he raises;
If you'd get away form boredom
and find new delights to look for,
Learn the joy of budding pansies
which you've kept a special nook for.
If you ever think of dying
and you fear to wake tomorrow
Plant a garden! It will cure you
of your melancholy sorrow
Once you've learned to know peonies,
petunias, and roses,
You will find every morning
some new happiness discloses
