512. For thee, O dear, dear country
7.6.7.6.D.
Homeland:
Arthur S. Sullivan, 1867
Ely Cathedral:
T. Tertius Noble, 1895
Latin; St. Bernard of Cluny, 1145;
Tr. John Mason Neale, 1858
For thee, O dear, dear country, Mine eyes their vigils keep; For very love beholding Thy holy name, they weep. The mention of thy glory Is unction to the breast, And medicine in sickness, And love, and life, and rest. | 467 O one, O only mansion! O Paradise of joy! Where tears are ever banished And smiles have no alloy; Thy loveliness oppresses All human thought and heart, And none, O Peace, O Sion, Can sing thee as thou art. | With jasper glow thy bulwarks, Thy streets with emeralds blaze; The sardius and the topaz Unite in thee their rays; Thine ageless walls are bonded With amethyst unpriced; The saints build up thy fabric, And the corner-stone is Christ. | The cross is all thy splendour, The Crucified thy praise; His laud and benediction Thy ransomed people raise: Upon the Rock of Ages They build thy holy tower; Thine is the victor's laurel, And thine the golden dower. | O sweet and blessèd country, The home of God's elect! O sweet and blessèd country, That eager hearts expect! Jesus, in mercy bring us To that dear land of rest; Who art, with God the Father, And Spirit, ever blest. | |