Alabama, 1913. 73 



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GIVE ME A NOOK. 



GIVE ME a nook by the water's side 

 That is close to the fishing hole — 

 Give me a couple of waves to ride 

 And a nap on the ocean's roll ; 

 Give me a little of all outdoors 



And keep for yourself the town — 

 Give me a farm and the peasant's chores 

 And take the ermine and crown. 



For I am a King when I fish the lake, 



An Emperor in the field — 

 And there isn't a crown on earth I'd take 



For the joy of a fair cast's yield! 

 And I wear a crown, and a monarch I, 



And the sweetest grass is my throne, 

 Out where the roof is a smiling sky, 



In a kingdom that's all my own ! 



Give me a nook and a book and rod, 



And a spring where I may drink; 

 Give me a touch of the mind of God 



In the open, where men can think ! 

 And you may keep the brick-walled ways 



Of the city and hug the great ; 

 For you the scepter, for me the days 



When the glorious sun sets late! 



* 



