Tuskegee, thou pride of the swift growing South

We pay thee our homage today

For the worth of thy teaching, the joy of thy care;

And the good we have known 'neath thy sway.

Oh, long-striving mothers of diligent sons

And of daughters, whose strength is their pride,

We will love thee forever, and ever shall walk

Through the oncoming years at thy side.

 

Thy hand we have held up the difficult steeps,

When painful and slow was the pace,

And onward and upward we've labored with thee

For the glory of God and our race.

The fields smile to greet us, the forests are glad,

The ring of the anvil and hoe

Have a music as thrilling and sweet as a harp

Which thou taught us to hear and to know.

 

Oh, mother Tuskegee, thou shinest today

As a gem in the fairest of lands;

Thou gavest the heav'n blessed power to see

The worth of our minds and our hands

We thank thee, we bless thee, we pray for thee years

Imploring with grateful accord,

Full fruit for thy striving, time longer to strive,

Sweet love and true labor's reward.

 

PAUL LAWRENCE DUNBAR