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The lonesome Soo Line railroad – the prairie’s windswept sky
Ride the rods you desperate men, cry, you hungry children cry
For dignity for work, for life, for greatness, friendship, purpose, plan ~
Augustine from the City of God reached out a finger, touched a man.
A still small voice – a simple choice – an endless destiny to face…
"To him who does what in him lies, God will not deny His grace."
‘Mid dust or hoppers, snow or shine ~ a homeless bunch of boys
A parish house, some old box cars, the cold – the wind – the noise
Plato… plumbing… politics… the fundamental truth
Handed ever onward through the ageless age of youth ~
The glow of having made it as you slide into home base
"To him who does what in him lies, God will not deny His grace."
Through winter years his jaw was set ~ his furrow deep and clean and wide
"Go get’em Hounds! – transcending self – you’ll never win until you’ve tried!"
~ Or gentle thought, or fight well fought ~ rallying every nerve
To live and laugh, to love and learn, to cherish and to serve…
The thread of destiny runs through ~ yet with unhurrying chase
"To him who does what in him lies, God will not deny His grace."
In affirmation of his faith, he built a Tower of God
Hallowing mystic, saint and sage who fearlessly have trod
With high endeavour history’s path, conquering self and earth
With vision, faith and character, obedience and rebirth
So wear his mantle loosely, all ye who tread this place
"To him who does what in him lies, God will not deny His grace."
We’ll grapple yet with destiny, we’ll struggle and emerge
Till bent and bruised and broken we reach the river’s verge
The art of expert friendship ~ the passion to pursue –
The care of every living thing ~ the vision and the view –
When the going’s tough, the battle rough, with patience run your race,
for… "To him who does what in him lies, God will not deny His grace."
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