Sagebrush Philosophy

My great-grandfather was an amazing man. He was a pioneer, inventor and poet. When Canada had a competition to create our national anthem, he submitted a song entitled, "Canada, my Canada". This song actually won the competition, but because of the remote location in which he lived, my grandfather never found out soon enough to claim the prize and so "O Canada" was chosen instead. My mom recently gave me a book of my grandfather's poetry called Sagebrush Philosophy and I have been enjoying it immensely, here is one poem that I'd like to share with you.

When Comes the End of Wars?

When man to man shall brothers be
And all the world from bondage free,
No starving poor midst luxury,
Then comes the end of wars.

When Total War has made men see
The Light so they may well agree
That nations must united be
To put an end to wars;

When all the world has seen the fate
Of selfish crimes as up to date, When all unite to guard each state
Then comes the end of wars.

"It can't be done," we hear some say,
For there are those who think and pray
That all the world must run their way
Whate'er the cost of wars.

In eighteen-hundred-sixty-one
The same old cry, "It can't be done,"
  'Twas fought by every mother's son -
A bitter civil war.

In the land of the free and the home of the brave
The South declared the North were knaves
To order freedom of their slaves;
They claimed a righteous war.

They'd bought their human slaves with gold
As chattels by the law to hold,
  To work till they were dead and cold.
They asked God's help at war.

Their slaves showed loyalty complete,
They meekly bathed their master's feet
So they might have corn bread to eat,
  Why, then, a cause for war?

'Twas Honest Abe who then did say
That some must learn the hard, hard way,
That justice will at last hold sway
Whate'er the cost of war.

The slaves were freed; the battle done;
The North and South have since been one;
And one they'll be till Kingdom Come -
A union bought with war.

Roosevelt and Churchill out at sea
In that great charter did agree
That "Mankind must alike be free;
This war must end all wars.

"Freedom from want where all may share
God's wealth of land, of sea and air;
Of independence everywhere
When Justice outlaws wars."

When Armageddon tales are told
Of statesmen and of warriors bold
Who fought for freedom, not for gold,
And won the last great war;

When Total War these words explain
"Ye humans must be born again,"
So peace on earth may ever reign,
That war will end all wars.

- Victor W. Heydlauff