God Save America

"Be strong and let your heart take courage,
all you who wait for and hope for and expect the Lord."
(Psalm 31:24)

 The Spirit of '76

(1875)

Archibald MacNeal Willard

(1836-1918)

American painter

God save America!   New world of glory,

Newborn to freedom and knowledge and power,

Lifting the towers of her lightning cities

Where the flood tides of humanity roar!

God save America!  Here may all races

Mingle together as children of God,

Founding an empire on brotherly kindness

Equal in liberty, made of one blood!

God save America!  Brotherhood banish

Wail of the worker, and curse of the crushed;

Joy break in songs from her jubilant millions,

Hailing the day when all discords are hushed!

God save America!  Bearing the olive,

Hers to be the blessing the peacemakers prove,

Calling the nations to glad federation,

Leading the world in the triumph of love!

God save America!  'Mid all her splendors,

Save her from pride and luxury;

Throne in her heart the unseen and eternal;

Right be her might and truth make her free!

Amen.

"God Save America"
(1912)
Reverend William Gay Ballantine
(1848-1937)
Congregational minister, educator,
and New Testament scholar
President of Oberlin College, Ohio
(1891-96)