Should you ask me, whence these stories, Whence these legends and traditions, With the odor of the roses With the brightness of the sunshine, With the rushing of great rivers, Leaping headlong from the mountains? I should answer, I should tell you, From the richest land 'neath Heaven, From the snow-capped hills of purple, From the broad and fertile valleys, Where the orange and the lemon Grow amidst the peace and plenty. This they say -- the happy dwellers, In that land of flowers and gold-- That the orange is the symbol Of their health and wealth untold. All the brightness of the sunshine, All the sweetness of the flowers, All the glow of hidden gold fields, All the dew from healing herbs, Are by cunning nature blended In this fruit of golden hue. If long life you would be having, Knowing naught of human ills, Daily eat at least one orange, Brought from California's groves. |