Thou who ordainest, for the land’s salvation,
Famine, and fire, and sword, and lamentation,
Now unto Thee we lift our supplication,—
O, save the Nation!
By the great sign foretold of Thy appearing,
Coming in clouds, while mortal men stand fearing,
Show us, amid the smoke of battle clearing,
Thy chariot nearing.
[1861]
i.
before Thy Throne we bow:
O God, our shield be Thou
From Treason’s rage!
In faith we look to Thee,
Our strength in Heav’n we see,
Defender of the free,
In ev’ry age.
II.
Our follies we confess:
O God, forgive and bless!
Let Mercy’s light
Illumine this dark hour,
...
Let Liberty run onward with the years,
And circle with the seasons; let her break
The tyrant’s harshness, the oppressor’s spears;
Bring ripened recompenses that shall make
Supreme amends for sorrow’s long arrears;
Drop holy benison on hearts that ache;
Put clearer radiance into human eyes,
And set the glad earth singing to the skies....
