free-verse21 lines
St. Thomas, 1884.
by James McIntyreAt time of Oddfellows Grand Lodge meeting.
Oddfellows once they had to trudge
O'er rough stage road to the Grand Lodge,
But now they town of metal seek
And find it on the Kettle Creek.
For industry it here prevails
As it was built by the steel rails,
And here the wide expanded bridges
Do connect the distant ridges.
No more need to stay at home as
There's lots of railroads to St. Thomas,
You pluckily did boldly venture,
Now you are great railroad centre.
Your city now it hath high hopes
From its great railway workshops,
And higher yet it still will rise,
This seat of so much enterprise.
When young man wants a wedded mate
He seeks Alma girl graduate,
And he loves her Alma mater
For the sake of her charming daughter.