The Hymnal ‎#512a

512a. For thee, O dear, dear country

For thee, O dear, dear country,
Mine eyes their vigils keep;
For very love beholding
Thy holy name, they weep.
The mention of thy glory
Is unction to the breast,
And medicine in sickness,
And love, and life, and rest.

467
O one, O only mansion!
O Paradise of joy!
Where tears are ever banished
And smiles have no alloy;
Thy loveliness oppresses
All human thought and heart,
And none, O Peace, O Sion,
Can sing thee as thou art.

With jasper glow thy bulwarks,
Thy streets with emeralds blaze;
The sardius and the topaz
Unite in thee their rays;
Thine ageless walls are bonded
With amethyst unpriced;
The saints build up thy fabric,
And the corner-stone is Christ.

The cross is all thy splendour,
The Crucified thy praise;
His laud and benediction
Thy ransomed people raise:
Upon the Rock of Ages
They build thy holy tower;
Thine is the victor's laurel,
And thine the golden dower.

O sweet and blessèd country,
The home of God's elect!
O sweet and blessèd country,
That eager hearts expect!
Jesus, in mercy bring us
To that dear land of rest;
Who art, with God the Father,
And Spirit, ever blest.

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: For thee, O dear, dear country
• Author: St. Bernard of Cluny (1145)
• Translator: John Mason Neale (1858)
• Meter: 7.6.7.6. D.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1916
• Topic: Processional; The Church Triumphant; Sunday Schools: General Use
• Notes: Now Public Domain.

Tune Information

• Name: HOMELAND
• Composer: Arthur S. Sullivan (1867)
• Meter: 7.6.7.6. D.
• Incipit: 13366 55431 17113
• Key: E♭ Major
• Notes: Now Public Domain.