O be joyful, every nation! Hail the day with sacred mirth, When the trumpet of salvation Sounds the jubilee of earth, And creation Travails with the world's new birth. | Then the north, in darkness shrouded, Jacob's rising star shall bless; And the eastern morn, unclouded, Bring the sun of righteousness, Cheering, healing, Sin-sick souls in heart's distress. | 281 Then her swarthy sons and daughters, Afric to the Cross shall bring; And the angel of the waters Hear His coral islands sing, "Hallelujah!" Till the whole Pacific ring. | O thou everlasting Father, Give the kingdoms to Thy Son; He hath died that He might gather All God's children into one; For the travail Of His soul, let this be done! | Yea, it must be:--Thou hast spoken, And Thy covenant shall last; Though the arch of heaven were broken, And the earth's foundations cast Down the abysses; Yet Thy word, O God! stands fast. | On Thy holy hill of Zion, Hast Thou not ordained His seat? Now, as Judah's conquering lion, Lay all foes beneath His feet, Till His armies In eternal triumph meet. | We have join'd their marching legions, Where our fathers fought, we fight; Slavery's cane-lands, Brama's regions, Are exulting at the sight; Freedom, freedom, Comes with Gospel-life and light. | 282 All the languages of Babel, Weapons for the warfare yield; And with these we well are able, By Thy Spirit's might, to wield In the battle, Truth's safe guard, and Faith's strong shield. | Thus, through fifty years victorious, Thou hast led our brethren on; Arm them now for deeds more glorious, Till the latest field is won: And all people Bow the knee, and kiss the Son. | |