The Hymnal ‎#476

476. From Greenland's icy mountains

From Greenland's icy mountains,
From India's coral strand,
Where Afric's sunny fountains
Roll down their golden sand;
From many an ancient river,
From many a palmy plain,
They call us to deliver
Their land from error's chain.

What though the spicy breezes
Blow soft o'er Ceylon's isle;
Though every prospect pleases,
And only man is vile:
In vain with lavish kindness
The gifts of God are strown;
The heathen in his blindness
Bows down to wood and stone.

Can we, whose souls are lighted
With wisdom from on high;
Can we to men benighted
The lamp of life deny?
Salvation, O salvation!
The joyful sound proclaim,
Till each remotest nation
Has learnt Messiah's Name.

Waft, waft, ye winds, his story,
And you, ye waters, roll,
Till, like a sea of glory,
It spreads from pole to pole;
Till o'er our ransomed nature,
The Lamb for sinners slain,
Redeemer, King, Creator,
In bliss returns to reign.

Text Information

• First Line: From Greenland's icy mountains
• Author: Reginald Heber (1819)
• Meter: 7.6.7.6. D.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1916
• Topic: Missions; Sunday Schools: Missions; Sunday Schools: General Use

Tune Information

• Name: MISSIONARY HYMN
• Composer: Lowell Mason (1829)
• Meter: 7.6.7.6. D.
• Incipit: 13556 53171 43321
• Key: E♭ Major