Anna Johanna (Hannah) Nielsen: Poetry

Hannah was, like most of those who came from the Scandinavian Countries, a great lover of nature.  She took much  pride in beautifying her home surroundings.  She was a great reader, studied the Church books and magazines, and kept up with the daily newspapers.

Being a natural poet, she composed a number of wonderful poems and was able to call them to mind at any time.  This gift was one of her greatest blessings.  Many have enjoyed listening to her recite the poetry she had written.

Four of Hannah’s Poems:

 ON THE MOUNTAIN

I was gazing on the mountain high

And saw it’s beauty and wondered why

And then I thought, how small am I

Just like a worm that’s crawling by

 

And as I thought, a whisper came

In heaven once there was your home

Your older brother, the son of God

Has bought this world with his blood

 

And so I know my Father lives

Who sent his Son, me to save

If I keep well His command

I on this world with Christ will stand

 

TO A MISSIONARY

I am awful slow in speech

To read and write and to preach

Although I always pray for you

I’ll send a rhyme of a line or two

 

I pray God make you well and strong

So you can carry the truth along

Bring to your mind bright and plain

The scriptures you must explain

How happy then you must be

To bring to the world the gospel free

If just one soul you bring into the fold

Your happiness can not be told

 

Though obstacles on your way you meet

And for the wicked your heart will bleed

It strenghtens well your faith in God

So hold to the Iron Rod

 

FAST DAY

Here we are a few assembled

On this Sabbath fasting day;

But where two or three are members

God, He in our midst will stay

I can testify his power

For I know this far is true

God  is near in trying hours

Hears the prayer of me and you

 

MY GARDEN

In my garden some gold I found;

For I planted some silver plants in the ground.

Some of my silver plants lay dead,

For close to the root was a cutworm’s bed.

With my hoe and shovel I worked ’till I sweat,

But I did not get discouraged a bit.

For I know that I must work hard and long

To make my silver plants grow big and strong.

 

One day I passed a corner street,

There I saw some loafers set,

I heard them say, “There is no way,

For us poor fellows to get honest pay.”

So I thought, if they had a lot

And planted some silver plants in the spot,

And work and sweat, till their brow got wet

Then, they honest pay will get.

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