The Pilgrims

They heaved the ocean's vastness
And a wilderness unknown
To find religious freedom
And a home-place of their own.
They persevered and labored,
Felling many forest trees
To build their humble dwellings
And a meetinghouse of these.

There were hardships and privations
That exacted quite a toll,
But with faith that never wavered,
They kept aiming for their goal.
They toiled from dawn to darkness
As they carved themselves a home
In this land that they had chosen
With no further wish to roam.

Many died that frigid winter
But those who had survives
Prepared the soil for planting
When springtime days arrived.
Gaining friendship of the natives,
Finding value in their ways,
They learned of different methods
That would lead to better days.

Autumn's harvest proved abundant,
Winter food was now assured;
They were grateful God had helped them
Throughout all they had endured.
So a day of thanks and feasting
With their native friends and all
Began the first Thanksgiving
That now we have each fall.

~ Harriet Whipple