OUR U.S.A. FLAG Under the flag of our dear U.S.A. Peacefully floating o'er us today, Its soft folds embrace us, Its colors enchant us, "Red, white and blue We love you". A star for each state on a field of blue To guide our great nation, united and true, Liberty, freedom, life, happiness, peace, "Red, white and blue, We love you". Front Page DAYS GONE BY Our fathers and grandfathers pioneered this land, Enduring great hardships we all understand. They blazed the trails, forded the streams, Built log houses and drove ox teams. Our fathers and grandfathers with courage and toil Cleared this land and tilled the soil; They built fine roads through swamps, over ridges and spanned the streams with wooden bridges. Our fathers and grandfathers, as years passed by, Invented our cars and the planes that fly. They built our cities, our many schools, Factory machinery and farming tools. Our fathers and grandfathers, day after day, Built our churches we are proud to say. They raised fine families and fought for our country, Many gave their lives that we may have liberty. But there's still work undone, work to do, And some to be finished by sons like you. We thank all the fathers, both old and young For the work they have finished and work they've begun. FIRE Fire can do good or very great harm,   Make you secure or cause you alarm, It can make our home cozy or burn it down,   We can't be without it in country or town. It can badly disfigure or greatly beautify,   Cause us great pain or gently pacify, Cook a good meal or burn it black,   Burn weeds and waste or a clover haystack. Makes a cheery camp fire or ruins good timber,   Heats blacksmiths' irons, burn coal to a cinder, Sets off fireworks, explosives and gas,   For pleasure and power or destroys in a mass. How like fire are the words that we speak,   Used wisely are a help to the strong and weak, But unguarded our words are like fire set free,   May destroy what is beautiful and so harmful be. Front Page FAMOUS LAST WORDS I wonder if loaded this gun can be? I'll look down its rusty barrel and see. Oh, listen!  I hear the fast train whistling, Step on the gas, we'll race to the crossing. I took some pills for a bad headache, It was so dark I made a mistake. They say these things will not explode, No matter where or how you load. I guess this rope will hold my weight, I'll swing up high, the risk I'll take. I haven't time to wait for green, No cops in sight, I'll not be seen. What a funny noise that snake does make, I'll poke it with this garden rake. It smells like gas, but I guess it's not, I'll light a match and we'll soon find out. Let's scare the girls and have some fun, By rocking the boat, see how it's done. I've danced and danced till I'm so warm, I'll step out to cool, it will do no harm. I am not afraid to stroll on the track, Or walk with the traffic and never look back. It's no fun swimming around out here, I'll go past the life line way out there. There isn't a car that I can't pass, Even going up hill when I step on the gas.                      Published in the September 23rd, 1937 issue of the Farmers Independent , Bagley, Minnesota GOOD HEALTH (sung to the tune of "Marching Through Georgia") Keep our bodies healthy is our slogan every day, Remember it while working, or while resting, or at play, Eat good food, pure, healthy food, remember it will pay, While we go marching through life. Chorus:   Good Health!  Good Health!  We want for you and me,   Good Health!  Good health!  The best there is to be;   We want to be the healthiest, the happiest and free,   While we go marching through life. Bathe our bodies often, brush our teeth with greatest care, Stand erect, hold our our chest and breathe in pure, fresh air. Dress in comfort, style and ease, good shoes let's always wear, While we go marching through life. Avoid all colds and sneezes, they will surely trouble bring, Exercise all muscles, be as fit as any king; For health in Minnesota we shall loudly shout and sing, While we go marching through life. Written for the Clearwater Co. Public Health Advisory Committee And Sub-Committees . Front Page P.T.A. THEME SONG (sung to the tune of "Yankee Doodle") We've come together once again More knowledge we are after we'll work and learn and play and sing Mix it with lunch and laughter. Chorus:    Friends and neighbors all are we    Minerva's moms and daddys    Join the teachers at this time    To help our lads and lassies. One hundred sixty days a year Our children spend in school, sir Let's keep it warm, well aired and clean The best school in this land, sir. Good healthy children is our aim Well nourished and well mannered We'll study food, good health and training Boost school to top standard. We'll close our meeting for tonight Real happy and much wiser By seeing neighbors listening laughing What could be much nicer. THE PARTY LINE If you should chance to rubber On a busy farmer's line, This is what you are apt to hear Be the weather bad or fine. Farmer Brown went to an auction, His busy wife went with him, They bought a cow, an old gang plow And a wagon with a broken rim. Mrs. Pill tells of her aches and pains, (How unhappy she would be without them.) Mrs. Pride bought a new silk dress, The latest in style, A-hem. The Ladies Aid will meet on Wednesday At the home of Mrs. Pete Larson; Sunday dinner guest at Ole Bergs Was Reverend Dahl, the new church parson. Old John Grouch complains of the weather, It's either too hot, cold or windy. Gardner's potatoes are big as can be, Their tomatoes are ripening already. The Olson kids have measles, And Grandpa Melander is very low. Mrs. Speed washed, ironed and baked today You'll wonder what she'll do tomorrow. Polly Prim's dress has a "gone with the wind" skirt, The blouse is trimmed with an aster. Neighbor Jim's son bought a new used car, That goes like the dickens, maybe faster. John Smith has a new farm tractor His neighbor finished haying today. Mrs. Smith canned fifty quarts of peas In the hot pack method way. China and Japan are at war again, Spain has been fighting so long. Joe louis fights in our U.S.A. And the Joneses are still going strong. So you'll hear the news - both good and bad If you only have time to rubber, From here and there, yes, everywhere, So hang onto your receiver. (I dedicate these verses to all rubber-necks.) Front Page THE ALIDA BUS Bumping along together In the Alida High School bus, No matter what the weather You hear no peep from us. Jogging along to Bagley, The road is long and rough, But every lass and laddy Is mighty brave and tough. Chugging along the bus trail Young farmers all are we, We may come late but never fail To get there, you'll agree. Speeding along the highway To get a bit of knowledge, We study hard, then laugh and play To pave our way to college. AN OLD DINNER PAIL I'm an old dinner pail dented and worn, My sides are caved in, my handle is torn; Paint is all gone and my cover's a mess, I'm mighty tough looking I'll truly confess. But a faithful, good servant I've been in my day, For hard working man or children at play. Many fine lunches I've securely contained On days of bright sunshine or days when it rained. Father Brown used me before he had sons, Filled by Ma Brown with cookies and buns; I next went to school with little Mary Brown, Then Betty and Jane and so on down. Now Johnny and Frank are my latest possessors; I wonder if I'll last until they're professors. You see, there are times I'm kicked as a ball, Or used as a weapon to settle a brawl. In these many past years that I've been in use, Giving good service and taking abuse. I've become more dilapidated day after day, So like many an old soldier, I'll just fade away. Front Page