“Chicago,” by W.H. McElroy

We used to chaff you in other days, 
          Chicago, 
You had such self-asserting ways, 
          Chicago. 
By Jove, but you cut it rather fat, 
With your boastful talk of this and that, 
As if America's hub was at 
          Chicago. 

We Bohemian boys on the Eastern press, 
          Chicago, 
We lied about you, and nothing less; 
          Chicago. 
'T was a way we had--without remorse 
To manufacture "another divorce," 
And locate it at--as a matter of course-- 
          Chicago. 

The star of empire on its way West, 
          Chicago, 
You said, concluded that it was best, 
          Chicago, 
To fix itself in your special sky, 
Unmoved by further claim or cry, 
And you hailed the star as "good for high," 
          Chicago. 

You called New York--so said, at least, 
          Chicago, 
Called it "Chicago of the East." 
          Chicago. 
Now, wasn't it cutting it rather fat, 
To venture on such a speech as that, 
As if the hub was certainly at 
          Chicago. 

But we loved you in spite of your many airs, 
          Chicago, 
If it wasn't for wheat there wouldn't be tares, 
          Chicago, 
And so as we heard your trumpets blow, 
Loud as theirs were at Jericho, 
We said--"Well one thing, she isn't slow," 
          Chicago. 

And when of your terrible trouble we learned, 
          Chicago, 
How your fair young beauty to ashes was turned, 
          Chicago, 
The whole land rose in its love and might, 
And swore it would see you through your plight, 
And--"Draw by the million on us at sight, 
          Chicago." 

We used to remark, of course with pity, 
          Chicago, 
That you were our champion wickedest city, 
          Chicago, 
And yet, just now, you very well may 
Insist with reason we can't gainsay, 
That you are the power for good to-day, 
          Chicago. 

For if unto Charity it is given, 
          Chicago, 
To hide no end of sins from Heaven, 
          Chicago, 
The Recording Angel his pen may take, 
And blot out the record we daily make, 
And write on the margin "for charity's sake," 
          At Chicago.