Pioneer

Hear the midnight mobs still hounding,

Hear the gunshots still resounding,

Hear the fist on doors still pounding,

Pioneer, O pioneer.

Smell the smoke of houses burning,

Feel the Mississippi churning,

Taste the tears of grief and yearning,

Pioneer, O pioneer.

Hear the icy night wind screaming,

See your breath in lamplight steaming,

Keep awake! There’s death in dreaming,

Pioneer, O pioneer.

Chip a frozen grave for brother,

Grip the trembling hand of mother,

Live one day, and then another,

Pioneer, O pioneer.

Lash and bend and drag and carry,

Ration every root and berry,

Grit your way across the prairie,

Pioneer, O pioneer.

Climb the mountains, steep and looming,

Hear the crashing boulders booming,

See the oxen straining, fuming,

Pioneer, O pioneer.

Gaze at last with soulful sighing,

See the object of your trying,

Join the thankful singing, crying,

Pioneer, O pioneer.

Tame the desert, bring the waters,

Raise up Zion’s sons and daughters,

Steady them while mammon totters,

Pioneer, O pioneer.

Send your stripling missionaries,

Send them over seas and prairies,

Send them while the Spirit tarries,

Pioneer, O pioneer.

Watch us now from where you’re waiting,

See the millions congregating,

Shout in holy celebrating!

Pioneer, O pioneer.