Part 66 (1/2)

HYMN AFTER THE EMANc.i.p.aTION PROCLAMATION

GIVER of all that crowns our days, With grateful hearts we sing thy praise; Through deep and desert led by Thee, Our promised land at last we see.

Ruler of Nations, judge our cause!

If we have kept thy holy laws, The sons of Belial curse in vain The day that rends the captive's chain.

Thou G.o.d of vengeance! Israel's Lord!

Break in their grasp the s.h.i.+eld and sword, And make thy righteous judgments known Till all thy foes are overthrown!

Then, Father, lay thy healing hand In mercy on our stricken land; Lead all its wanderers to the fold, And be their Shepherd as of old.

So shall one Nation's song ascend To Thee, our Ruler, Father, Friend, While Heaven's wide arch resounds again With Peace on earth, good-will to men!

1865.

HYMN FOR THE FAIR AT CHICAGO

O G.o.d! in danger's darkest hour, In battle's deadliest field, Thy name has been our Nation's tower, Thy truth her help and s.h.i.+eld.

Our lips should fill the air with praise, Nor pay the debt we owe, So high above the songs we raise The floods of mercy flow.

Yet Thou wilt hear the prayer we speak, The song of praise we sing,-- Thy children, who thine altar seek Their grateful gifts to bring.

Thine altar is the sufferer's bed, The home of woe and pain, The soldier's turfy pillow, red With battle's crimson rain.

No smoke of burning stains the air, No incense-clouds arise; Thy peaceful servants, Lord, prepare A bloodless sacrifice.

Lo! for our wounded brothers' need, We bear the wine and oil; For us they faint, for us they bleed, For them our gracious toil!

O Father, bless the gifts we bring!

Cause Thou thy face to s.h.i.+ne, Till every nation owns her King, And all the earth is thine.

1865.

UNDER THE WAs.h.i.+NGTON ELM, CAMBRIDGE

APRIL 27,1861

EIGHTY years have pa.s.sed, and more, Since under the brave old tree Our fathers gathered in arms, and swore They would follow the sign their banners bore, And fight till the land was free.

Half of their work was done, Half is left to do,-- Cambridge, and Concord, and Lexington!