 | [Anthems in] An Oration, Commemorative of the
Abolition of the Slave Trade in The United States |  |
19
ANTHEMS, COMPOSED BY R. Y. SIDNEY,
For the National Jubilee of the Abolition of the Slave Trade, January 1st, 1809.
ANTHEM I.
1
Dry your tears, ye sons of Afric,God has shown his gracious power;
He has stopt the horrid traffic,
That your country's bosom tore.
See through clouds he smiles benignant,
See your nation's glory rise;
Though your foes may frown indignant,
All their wrath you may despise.
Chorus.
Dry your tears ye hapless nation,Banish all your cares away;
God has given great salvation,
On this ever glorious day.
Solo.
O raise to heaven a grateful voice,Through every age rejoice, rejoice.
Recitative.
What objects meet the piteous eye,What passions fill the soul of man,
To see a hapless nation rise,
And all its various actions scan,
In deep disgrace, depriv'd of peace,
And every blessing dear,
Now blest with peace, rais'd up in fame,
And free from every fear.
2
Thus the clouds the light obscuring,Vainly try to veil the day:
Thus shall you all toils enduring,
See your troubles pass away.
20
On your nation's hapless head;
See the blushing morn discover'd,
See the dawn of glory shed.
Chorus.
—Dry your tears, &c. &c.3
See each science round you blooming,Like the flowers at dawn of day,
With their sweets the air perfuming,
With their beauties cheer the way.
See with eagle wings expanded,
See each hidden talent rise;
See each slavish fear disbanded,
See your genius mount the skies.
Chorus.
—dry your tears, &c. &c.ANTHEM II.
1
Ye sons of Afric, loud rejoice,In songs of triumph raise your voice;
The night of slavery now is past,
The dawn of freedom shines at last.
Chorus.
Rejoice that you were born to see,This glorious day, your jubilee.
2
O praise the Lord enthron'd on high,The Lord that heard your piercing cry,
That made his wond'rous light to spread,
And shed his blessings on your heads.
Chorus.
—Rejoice, &c. &c.
FINALE.
3
Ye worthy friends our thanks receive,'Tis all that Afric's sons can give;
And for the kindness you have shown,
May GOD receive you as his own.
Chorus.
—Rejoice, &c. &c. | [Anthems in] An Oration, Commemorative of the
Abolition of the Slave Trade in The United States | |