 | Wood-notes and Church-bells |  |
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THE NATIONAL THANKSGIVING DAY.
Radiant with happy smiles
Passes our Queen through that amazing throng,
Borne on her people's billowy shouts for miles
Triumphantly along.
Passes our Queen through that amazing throng,
Borne on her people's billowy shouts for miles
Triumphantly along.
As with one mighty voice
Millions of throats are thundering to the skies,
Millions of hearts, beating like one, rejoice
With joy that mists the eyes.
Millions of throats are thundering to the skies,
Millions of hearts, beating like one, rejoice
With joy that mists the eyes.
Mother as well as Queen,
Her people's love enfolds her like the air,
While at her side her royal Son is seen—
Given to a nation's prayer.
Her people's love enfolds her like the air,
While at her side her royal Son is seen—
Given to a nation's prayer.
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To render God due thanks
The Queen and all her people are intent;
A burst of gratitude that blends all ranks
Goes up with one consent.
The Queen and all her people are intent;
A burst of gratitude that blends all ranks
Goes up with one consent.
No temple made with hands
That mighty congregation could contain;
But now the Queen, for the whole nation, stands
In Britain's grandest fane.
That mighty congregation could contain;
But now the Queen, for the whole nation, stands
In Britain's grandest fane.
Beneath the dome and cross
Which o'er the city's smoke shine forth serene,
Lifting men's hearts from thoughts of gain and loss—
Kneels our all-honoured Queen.
Which o'er the city's smoke shine forth serene,
Lifting men's hearts from thoughts of gain and loss—
Kneels our all-honoured Queen.
And round about her kneel
Children and children's children, a fair band,
And thousands who in love like children feel—
The noblest of the land.
Children and children's children, a fair band,
And thousands who in love like children feel—
The noblest of the land.
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A nation joins in praise
As late a nation knelt in fervent prayer,
Nor knelt in vain; for now their thanks they raise,
Seeing the answer there!
As late a nation knelt in fervent prayer,
Nor knelt in vain; for now their thanks they raise,
Seeing the answer there!
Then let the organ pour
Its loudest notes, and let the swelling hymn
Be sung by thousands, whose full hearts run o'er
And eyes with gladness brim.
Its loudest notes, and let the swelling hymn
Be sung by thousands, whose full hearts run o'er
And eyes with gladness brim.
And may this joyful hour
Knit faster a great people to the throne;
And bind them both to that All-Gracious Power
Whose mercy now they own!
Knit faster a great people to the throne;
And bind them both to that All-Gracious Power
Whose mercy now they own!
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