O Jewel of Tanana Valley! Good city of Fairbanks,
Here's an ode to you from me, with grateful heartfelt thanks
The very first time, through my eyes you were seen
There was nowhere else, I'd rather have been
As I stepped out into the bright sunshine
You looked so beautiful and very fine
Pulsing, golden, Alaska's heart
I fell for you, right from the start
Over mountains and seas, I flew to thee
Such beauty in nature, I'd rarely see
My first ever home in a foreign land
Gracious host family, to lend a hand
Dear old UAF, my alma mater
All that I'd leave, a few years later
Many things I learned, many friends I met
Many things I saw, I will never forget
Brenda and Bruce, David and Ben
Jaipal, Stephenita, Kathy and Ken
Such easy, friendly connections were made
I was once Felix Pedro, in the Golden Days parade
My first ever snowfall, in Fairbanks I saw
A magical world, filling me with awe
The winter months of night, and the summer months of day
The snowy blanket white, where squirrels came out to play
The dark black ravens foraging, in the bins behind Nerland Hall
Through all the seasons - spring, summer or winter or fall
I often used to wonder, how they could stand the cold
They were always at home there, by the natives I was told
The memories of egg-nog and warm sourdough bread
Still soothe my heart and soul
The images of ice-carvings dance in my head
With Santa Claus House, North Pole
The wondrous sights of Northern Lights
Green curtains in the sky
The top of Denali and peaks of great heights
From a distance we could spy
It was in Fairbanks, that I first learned to drive
And bought my very first car
Stopped at 'Skinny Dick's Halfway Inn' to revive
Having driven from Anchorage far
You made a welcome place for me
It was generous on your part
You are now a part of me
A soft corner in my heart
I hope one day, to be with you again
And convey to you, my thanks
A warm sweet memory you remain
My dear old Fairbanks!
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