Contents -BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD

William McCarty, comp. The American National Song Book. 1842.

National Gratitude

HAIL! the first, the greatest blessing

God hath given to man below;

Hail to freedom, independence,

Boundless, boundless may they flow!

Favour’d people, bless’d Columbia, happy nation,

Freedom, peace be ever thine.

Give to God the power and glory,

Own ’twas his almighty hand

Which from Britain’s isle conducted

Patriot heroes to this land;

Then a desert, waste and howling, then a desert,

Now the asylum of the earth.

Who subdued the warlike savage,

Nimrod-hunter of the wood?

Who amid the storm of battle,

In the cloud of pillar stood?

’Twas Jehovah, ’twas Jehovah, ’twas Jehovah,

Universal nature’s Lord.

When a parent to the children

Scorpions gave instead of bread,

Who, educing good from evil,

Hungry babes with plenty fed?

Shout Jehovah, sing Jehovah, shout Jehovah,

Praises, praises be to him.

High exalted, firmly seated,

Independent, sovereign, free,

May Columbia’s grateful millions

Glory, glory give to thee.

Might, dominion, praises, blessing, glory, glory,

All the glory, Lord, be thine.

Every nation, all the kingdoms,

Bless, O, bless, eternal Sire!

Man adoring, angels hymning,

Love and gratitude inspire.

Rapture feeling, transports shouting, praises sounding,

Hail, they cry, amen, amen!