In Nashville’s land of glowing grace

While researching Nashville history, I came across this poem from 1787. Author unknown. Scholars say it was probably written to market Nashville to pioneers while discouraging them from going to Louisville or Cincinnati.

In Nashville’s land of glowing grace,
A wondrous haven takes its place.
Where rivers meet and music flows,
A city ripe as summer rose.

O Louisville, thou pale compare,
And Cincinnati, best beware.
For none do shine as bright or fair,
As Nashville in the midday glare.

Its fertile fields and skies so wide,
Make even rugged men abide.
With furrowed brow and calloused hand,
They till and sow this fruitful land.

The fish do leap, the game’s afoot,
In Nashville, every man’s a duke!
A place so rich in earth and sky,
One glance would catch a monarch’s eye.

And let us not forget the tunes,
That dance beneath the southern moons.
No lark nor lyre can quite express,
The notes that cure all man’s distress.

So come ye all from far and wide,
And see the life that does reside.
In Nashville, gem of southern pride,
Where dreams are born and never die.

Let not your hearts to others sway,
Make Nashville home without delay.
For in this town, you’ll surely find,
A life of worth for humankind.