She comes from St. Louis!
by Edna Dean Proctor.
“On the sixteenth of July, 1868, the steamboat Imperial arrived at New-Orleans from St. Louis, the first boat between the cities for more than two years.” She comes from St. Louis! Hurrah and hurrah!She lies at the levee unmarred by a scar!
No cursing guerrillas could frighten her back,
Though longing, like bloodhounds, to leap on her track;
Nor cannon to sink her, nor chain set to bar--
She comes from St. Louis! Hurrah and hurrah!
She comes from St. Louis! Who now will deny
That Vicksburgh, Port Hudson, in ruins must lie?
The good boat Imperial laughed them to scorn
As bold to our levee she rounded at morn,
And brought with her freedom and wealth from afar--
She comes from St. Louis! Hurrah and hurrah!
She comes from St. Louis! The river is free!
What tidings of glory, New-Orleans, for thee!
Oh! welcome her I herald the holiday time--
Fling out all your banners now — let the bells chime--
Of sunny days dawning, the harbinger star,
She comes from St. Louis! Hurrah and hurrah!
She comes from St. Louis! Our torpor is o'er;
We breathe the fresh air of the Northland once more;
Life wakes at the wharves again, stirs in the street,
Beams bright in the faces that smile as they greet;
No traitor our triumph can hinder or mar--
She comes from St. Louis! Hurrah and hurrah!
She comes from St. Louis! Away with the plea
That river or people divided may be!
One current sweeps past us, one likeness we wear;
One flag through the future right proudly we'll bear;
All hail to the day without malice or jar!--
She comes from St. Louis! Hurrah and hurrah!
