Here's to the land of the long leaf pine ...

On the way to work recently, I drove past a small patch of woods and I noticed the long leaf pines that dotted the landscape. It made me realize how beautiful those trees are. And it also reminded me of the State Toast.

A couple of months ago, to earn a feather for Y Guides, my daughter memorized and recited the State Toast in front of her tribe. (Well, the first stanza, that is.)  She learned it quickly and with gusto; I was extremely proud of her.

Here, as a reminder of this great state, is the toast. Enjoy!

Here's to the land of the long leaf pine,
The summer land where the sun doth shine,
Where the weak grow strong and the strong grow great,
Here's to "Down Home," the Old North State!

Here's to the land of the cotton bloom white,
Where the scuppernong perfumes the breeze at night,
Where the soft southern moss and jessamine mate,
'Neath the murmuring pines of the Old North State!

Here's to the land where the galax grows,
Where the rhododendron's rosette glows,
Where soars Mount Mitchell's summit great,
In the "Land of the Sky," in the Old North State!

Here's to the land where maidens are fair,
Where friends are true and cold hearts rare,
The near land, the dear land, whatever fate,
The blest land, the best land, the Old North State!