Poetry Explorer- Classic Contemporary Poetry, WASHINGTON HYMN, by ROBERT UNDERWOOD JOHNSON


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Classic and Contemporary Poetry

WASHINGTON HYMN, by                     Poet's Biography
First Line: Praise to thee, o god of freedom
Last Line: Than another washington.
Subject(s): Presidents, United States; Washington, George (1732-1799)


SUNG AT THE LAYING OF THE CORNER-STONE OF THE WASHINGTON MEMORIAL ARCH, NEW YORK, MAY 30, 1890, TO
THE AIR OF THE AUSTRIAN HYMN BY HAYDN

PRAISE to Thee, O God of Freedom,
Praise to Thee, O God of Law,
Thee the goal of Israel's dreaming,
Thee the flame that Moses saw;
Light of every patriot dungeon,
Home of exile, hope of slave,
Loved by just and feared by tyrant,
Comrade of the true and brave.

Would we pray for new defenders,
Thou art with us ere we call;
Thou wilt find new ranks of heroes
For the heroes yet to fall.
Back we look across the ages,
Forward Thou beyond the sun,
Yet no greater gift we ask Thee
Than another Washington.





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