Thomas Green Fessenden (1771–1837)

ALMIGHTY Power! the One Supreme!

Our souls inspire, attune our lays

With hearts as solemn as our theme,

To sing hosannas to thy praise!

Then, while we swell the sacred song,

And bid the pealing anthem rise,

May seraphim the strain prolong,

And hymns of glory fill the skies.

Thy word omnific form’d this earth,

Ere time began revolving years—

Thy fiat gave to nature birth

And tuned to harmony the spheres.

When stern oppression’s iron hand

Our pious fathers forced to roam,

And o’er the wild wave seek the land

Where freedom rears her hallow’d dome—

When tempests howl’d, and o’er the main,

Pale horror rear’d his haggard form;

Thou didst the fragile bark sustain

To stem the fury of the storm!

When savage hordes, from wilds immense,

Raised the shrill war-whoops frantic yell,

Thine arm made bare in our defence,

Dispersed the gloomy hosts of hell!

Thou bad’st the wilderness disclose

The varied sweets of vernal bloom—

The desert blossom’d like the rose,

And breathed Arabia’s rich perfume!

Look down from heaven’s empyreal height,

And gild with smiles this happy day.

Send us some chosen son of light

Our feet to guide in wisdom’s way.

The sons of Faction strike with awe,

And hush the din of party rage,

That liberty, secured by law,

May realize a golden age.

On those thy choicest blessings shower

To whom the cares of state are given;

May justice wield the sword of power,

Till earth ’s the miniature of heaven!