"All that mankind has done, thought, gained or been: it is lying as in magic preservation in the pages of books."
-Thomas Carlyle

by Jeff Daiell

'Twas the Day we gained Freedom, the Day we rate greatest;
Not a person was sleeping, not even the Statists.

IRS folk were hanged 'way up in the air
In hopes (fellow-) vultures soon would swoop there.

Bureaucrats were chained up all tight in their cells,
Their reward for putting each of us through Hell.

My love in her nightie, and I in the buff,
Were thrilled at the prospect of no Government guff

About pieces of paper to make us all "legal",
With a notary's seal and the Sign of the Eagle.

But now that was over, The State's day was through,
America was blessed with a Dawn that was new.

We'd pounded the sidewalks, and talked to the folk,
Urging them to throw off the Government's yolk.

We'd run for public office; some of us had won;
While others made sure the paperwork was done.

The hanging of leaflets, the giving of money,
Brought eventually the Land of Milk and of Honey.

The struggle was over — yes, Freedom was ours;
We needed no longer fear the Government's powers.

Even Statists were free, since Freedom's for all;
Only now we ignored their haughty back and call.

So we all made merry on this greatest of Days;
Celebrating with joy in various ways.

But then, in the middle of all our delight,
Came a mysterious sound from outside of our sight.

It was that kind of noise that verily sings,
Like the lap of a brook, or a hummingbird's wings.

We looked all around, but no sight did we see,
Though the noise grew still nearer to us in our glee.

And then, in the sky, 'gainst the still-rising Sun,
A vision appeared which thrilled us — each one.

Torch held up high, a Woman appeared;
We knew who she was even before she drew near.

We hailed her as she approached from above:
"Lady Liberty! Lady Liberty! The Woman we love!"

Yea, it was her, the Symbol of Hope;
We ran to go see her at a galloping lope.

She alighted with grace, her Torch burning bright,
A sign to us all that Day had chased Night.

She smiled a smile that was sheer joy to see,
Filling our hearts with pure ecstasy.

"You've done well, my friends," she told one and all,
"And now I am here to answer your call.

I'll bring happiness now to all folk of good will,
Down through each valley and over each hill.

Production will rise, your fortunes increase;
And greatest of all: our Victory means Peace!

Poverty will end quite quickly, you'll see,
With a job for everyone quick as can be.

No more inflation — and Recession's tabu;
The poor will get richer — as will the rich too.

Although, of course, that gap will grow tiny,
As all rake in gold coins, bright new, and shiny.

People will be free to worship or not,
Quote The Bible all day or sit and smoke pot.

You'll read as you choose, with no censors to pass,
And bed as you please, with lad or with lass.

But you know all this, so I needn't repeat;
Instead just savor your victory sweet.

Freedom to trade, freedom to do,
Freedom to be, I now give to you!

Use it well, friends, as I know you will;
I give you my thanks for this wonderful thrill.

I needs now must go, to visit more lands,
Where your fine example has roused Freedom's bands

To fight for their Rights on those distant shores
'Til their Freedom is quit e the equal of yours."

She smiled once more, with the light of the dawn,
And quick as she came, she quickly was gone.

But she called as she neared that yet-rising Sun,
"Congratulations to all — for a job so well done!"

© Copyright 1977 by Jeff Daiell

Jeff Daiell is a long-time Human Rights activist, and proprietor of Jeff Daiell Communications. He can be flamed, complimented, or hectored at JeffDaiell@Yahoo.com.