I listen to the rumble and rattle of the rail;
And to my ears unfolded the world's most wondrous tale;
The prairie tamed and broken; the forest split in two;
The lake and ocean blended; the mountain shivered through;
The chasm knit with iron; the cataract swung back;
Both Time and Distance shrunken with every foot of track.

The tramp of millions westward is echoed from the wheel;
The strain of millions striving sensations new to feel;
New cities planned at twilight, perfected with the dawn;
Our Nation's might replenished by western brain and brawn.

The fruits are, aye most luscious; the flowers fairest bloom;
The men are best and bravest, and there is least of gloom;
Where sets the Star of Empire, where Sun of Progress dips,
And burnishes the wheat fields and gilds the groaning ships.