Life, 1917-07-19 · page 23 of 40
Life — July 19, 1917 — page 23: what you’re looking at
What you’re looking at
This page presents poems submitted to Life magazine's patriotic song contest during World War I. The contest winners appear on the previous week's issue; these runners-up poems are "almost, but not quite" prize-worthy. The poems share common themes reflecting American entry into WWI (1917): America as a beacon of liberty spreading democracy globally, appeals to national unity and sacrifice, and idealization of American values. Phrases like "darkened nations" and "fire of thy white dreams" express the era's paternalistic view of America's civilizing mission. Notable is "America, 1917," explicitly dated to reference current events, imploring the nation to use its "youth" and "courage" for global justice—a direct reference to American participation in the Great War. The content reveals early-20th-century American nationalism, wartime propaganda aesthetics, and the era's racial and imperial assumptions embedded in patriotic rhetoric—elements modern readers should recognize as historically significant but problematic.
📄 Transcribed text from this page (OCR, searchable)
Machine-transcribed from the original scan — historical spelling and the odd misread are preserved.
*L LF E.* From Lire's Patriotic Song Contest The poem which won the five-hundred-dollar prize in Lire’s patriotic song contest appeared in last week's issue. The verses on this page were submitted in the contest, and were regarded by the judges as almost, but not quite, entitled to the prize. America, the Torch Bearer Aes thy torch was lit that blinded lands might see The glory of thy heritage, thy God-like Liberty. And now, from thundering coast to coast, across the waking world Thy message goes, thy trumpet blows, thy dream at last is whirled! The prize that thou didst fight to win is won beyond the sea, And driven peoples rise to-day, unchained, exultant, free! America! America! pour out thy deathless light! A splendid lamp is in thy hand; thine eyes are burning bright. And as a torch gives of its flame, yet no less richly gleams, Give thou the darkened nations fire—the fire of thy white dreams! O when the earth shall rock with fear, America, stand fast! Guard thou thy holy destiny, keep faith unto the last. For kings shall tremble on their thrones, and crowns shall turn to rust; Democracy and Truth shall live when emperors are dust. And thou shalt be the instrument—if still thy soul be white !— Where through the word of Freedom rings, like God's voice down the night! America! America! pour out thy treasured store, That new Republics still may rise and open Freedom's door! For as a torch gives of its flame, yet no less richly gleams, Give thou the darkened nations fire—the fire of thy white dreams! Charles Hanson Towne. Up with the Flag New glory for Old Glory! Be that our word of fire. When sons shall read the story Shall they forget the sire? For those who gave us freedom, For freemen yet to be, Our banner blest shall never rest Until the world is free. HERE Freedom beats its pinions Against the bars of shame, Where tyrants lead their minions To rule a world aflame, There Liberty is calling, Across the crimsoned sea, Her anguished prayer for hearts that dare To keep her children free. Chorus Up with the flag! Its stars still guide us onward. Up with the flag! Its stripes proclaim our might. The flag our hearts are high for, the flag that freemen die for Shall cross the sea for Liberty; God guard the Flag of Right! Stanley J. Quinn, 103 America, My Homeland MERICA, my homeland, I love thy boundless shore, Thy wide horizon’s promise, Thy hero-days of yore; Beneath thy starry banner That greets the stars above, A loyal band thy children stand To guard the land they love. In thee abounds salvation For men of lands oppressed; True hearts of every nation Shall find a welcome blest: No martial lord and despot In sovereign power can boast; Our faith shall be in Liberty, Enshrined from coast to coast. No foeman's hate can sever Thy Union, firm and strong, Nor halt thy swift endeavor To right thy brother’s wrong. America, my homeland, Our hearts are still with thee, To speed the fight for Truth and Right Till all the world is free! Corinne Rockwell Swain. America, 1917 O# youngest of the nations, Thine are the gifts of youth, The courage born to conquer, The eyes that seek the truth. Oh, young and keen and eager The common cross to share, America, America, Hear this, thy people's prayer. Be thine the gift of vision, For which the nations long, That though thy body perish, Thy soul may right the wrong. Be thine the moving spirit Of liberty we seck; America, America, Be strong to raise the weak. And be thou meek in victory ; Hold thou the faith in awe. Submit thyself in sacrifice To freedom’s sacred law. Thy sons in deathless brotherhood Stand forth with torch alight, America, America, For God, for Truth, for Right. Margaret Louise Bateman, comicbooks.com