'Twas morn in the desolate city,
The ragged and ruin-heaped city,
The homeless and hot-smoking city,
The grief of the North and the West.
But down from the West came the bidding, "O Queen, lift in courage thy
head!
Thy friends and thy neighbors awaken, and hasten, with raiment and
bread."
And up from the South came the bidding, "Cheer up, fairest Queen of the
Lakes!
For comfort and aid shall be coming from out our savannas and brakes!"
And down from the North came the bidding, 'O city, be hopeful of
cheer!
We've somewhat to spare for thy sufferers, for all of our suffering
here!"
And up from the East came the bidding, "O city, be dauntless and bold!
Look hither for food and for raiment lock hither for credit and gold!"
And all through the world went the bidding, "Bring hither your
choicest and best,
For weary and hungry Chicago, sad Queen of the North and the West!"