Oh, what a radiant company are they! Forever one with all that’s newly fair; Out of the heat and burden of the day, The blight of fall and winter’s aged care. They are Youth’s Gladness, ever blossoming Beyond the wistful limit of our spring! PRAYER FOR AMERICA O Lord of justice and of right Who made the generous Cause prevail, Who helped our heroes win the fight, Now let not their endeavor fail. Facing new dangers that arise, Oh, make us wise! Draw out the best of each to serve Unselfishly the common good, Nor let the wider vision swerve From the true goal of brotherhood. To this, thy mighty-blended race, Oh, give thy grace! Give us great leaders we can trust To strive for righteousness alone; Cast small ambition in the dust, With greed and malice overthrown. Lord God, Preserver of the State, Oh, make us great! THE ROCK OF LIBERTY A PILGRIM ODE, 1620–1920[1] ⁂ I. VISION PRAYER OF SAILING Lord God of Hosts, Defender of the weak, With thine Almighty arm deliver us, Thy suffering people, exiled and forlorn, Pilgrims of faith, who dream a glorious dream! Beyond the deep, where no man knows the way, To savage shores beneath an alien sky, Guide us in hope to Liberty and Peace. Jehovah! Hearken to thy people’s cry! Oh, grant us freedom, Lord, within thy law, To toil or worship, live or die for Thee, In thy name building that which shall endure Beyond the little while we have to live. THE VISION O rolling waste of unimagined ocean, Dividing continents and parting men! Yield to the fragile sails of destiny, Maimed by the will that conquers mighty force! Bow to the courage that endures to die, The faith that anchors to a solid Rock. O waves that do divide! The time will come When water shall unite the sundered lands. Then over sea, under the sea and through, Shall fare the galleons of brotherhood, Bearing the freight of liberty and love From a great nation, heir of our desire, To every corner of the peopled earth. THE MAYFLOWER