As the US celebrates its Independence Day this weekend, we share with you these old church hymn lyrics as a sort of meditation. What a beautiful and balanced hymn - celebrating one's country of origin as well as recognizing the larger picture and world community. Words by Lloyd Stone.
"This is my song, O God of all the nations,
a song of peace for lands afar and mine.
This is my home, the country where my heart is;
here are my hopes, my dreams, my sacred shrine.
But other hearts in other lands are beating,
with hopes and dreams as true and high as mine."My country's skies are bluer than the ocean,
and sunlight beams on cloverleaf and pine.
But other lands have sunlight, too, and clover,
and skies are everywhere as blue as mine.
Oh, hear my song, thou God of all the nations,
a song of peace for their land and for mine."May truth and freedom come to every nation;
may peace abound where strife has raged so long,
That each may seek to love and build together
a world united, righting every wrong --
A world united in its love for freedom,
proclaiming peace together in one song."
Tags: Church, Finlandia, God, hymn, Independence Day, Love, music, Nations, Peace, spirituality, World
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July 4th, 2009 at 11:30 am
Hey, you know the all nations as one sentiment is great. The “let Christ be lifted up til all shall serve Him” changes that picture quite dramatically.
July 6th, 2009 at 3:35 am
True. It appears there are two versions of this song sung: the one we posted in text, which appears in some Unitarian and other “universal” contexts (and leaves out some verses) - and then the one on the video which has more of a directly Christian application. But you’re right, the mood and intent of the song changes quite a bit depending which one you’re listening to or looking at.