Oh God of Nations, by Thy guiding Hand
Were our forefathers led to this blest shore,
When they were seeking for some friendly land
Where Thy praise, from fervent hearts might pour
In deep libations. They had nought to fear
From Persecutions rack, or bitter strife,
Or gross exactions, often hard to bear,
Which compassed all their daily round of life.
Their first faint act on bleak Cape Henry's shore
Was planting of the Cross, with grateful mien,
Then, with loud voice above the Oceans roar
Proclaimed their faith in what was yet unseen,
Yet well they knew had surely been decreed
And in His own good time, would be declared,
By Him who helped them in their hour of need,
Who neither fost'ring care, nor guidance spared,
Cheered by blest Hope, sheet- anchor of the soul,
They struggled on, impelled by conscious right,
Strong in that faith, which did their acts control,
And gave them power when it was lost in sight.
On Jamestown Isle they did new alters raise,
Crude at the first, but with high purpose bent,
And there again with heartsome hymns of praise
They worshipped Thee, Oh God, with one consent
So thus 'tis seen, it needs not be proved,
That in this glorious land,
Where they were free,
Their first thought was of Him, whom well they loved,
Their glory, was "religious liberty."
So now, Great God, on this our nation's day, we give Thee homage, by our sires begun;
We still would learn of Thee to watch and pray, lest, losing Thy loved care, We be undone.
We praise Thee for the gifts Thy love bestows,
On this our Country with unsparing hand;
Though underserved, it thus most truly shows
Thy watchful care o're this God favored land
On which blest liberty first saw the light,
Where it was cradled, as the World records;
Where our forefathers' faith is "lost in sight,"
Where Thou art "King of Kings and Lord of Lords!"
~a maW el Pilgrim
Were our forefathers led to this blest shore,
When they were seeking for some friendly land
Where Thy praise, from fervent hearts might pour
In deep libations. They had nought to fear
From Persecutions rack, or bitter strife,
Or gross exactions, often hard to bear,
Which compassed all their daily round of life.
Their first faint act on bleak Cape Henry's shore
Was planting of the Cross, with grateful mien,
Then, with loud voice above the Oceans roar
Proclaimed their faith in what was yet unseen,
Yet well they knew had surely been decreed
And in His own good time, would be declared,
By Him who helped them in their hour of need,
Who neither fost'ring care, nor guidance spared,
Cheered by blest Hope, sheet- anchor of the soul,
They struggled on, impelled by conscious right,
Strong in that faith, which did their acts control,
And gave them power when it was lost in sight.
On Jamestown Isle they did new alters raise,
Crude at the first, but with high purpose bent,
And there again with heartsome hymns of praise
They worshipped Thee, Oh God, with one consent
So thus 'tis seen, it needs not be proved,
That in this glorious land,
Where they were free,
Their first thought was of Him, whom well they loved,
Their glory, was "religious liberty."
So now, Great God, on this our nation's day, we give Thee homage, by our sires begun;
We still would learn of Thee to watch and pray, lest, losing Thy loved care, We be undone.
We praise Thee for the gifts Thy love bestows,
On this our Country with unsparing hand;
Though underserved, it thus most truly shows
Thy watchful care o're this God favored land
On which blest liberty first saw the light,
Where it was cradled, as the World records;
Where our forefathers' faith is "lost in sight,"
Where Thou art "King of Kings and Lord of Lords!"
~a maW el Pilgrim