Roosevelt's Return 



By Bliss Carman 



I 



WHY all this jubilation? 

 What means this holiday. 

 With flags above the city, 

 And sirens down the Bay? 



That's why the troops are marching. 

 That's rvhy the rvhistles blow. 



Why old and young are smiling. 

 And bands play as they go. 



II 



The air is full of music 



From bands in proud parade; 

 The Avenue is crowding 



To cheer the cavalcade. 



VI 



That's why the crowds are cheering. 



That's why the colors fly. 

 Until you don't know whether 



You want to laugh or cry. 



Ill 



Who comes? No King nor Kaiser, 

 Nor victor fresh from war; 



But the universal brother 

 The world was waiting for. 



VII 



From Oregon to Jersey, 



From Texas back to Maine, 



Come men to give him honor 

 And greet him once again. 



IV 



What is the pride of London, 

 The pomp of ancient Rome, 



To little new Maifhattan 



With Koo.teveh coming home? 



VIII . 



Stout comrades and glad kinsmen. 

 Friends of his heart and mind,— 



And Kids from Oklahoma 

 Not to be left behind, — 



IX 



We each and all salute him 



(The proudest folk on earth!). 



Made stronger by his fondness. 

 His fearlessness and mirth. 



DSI 



