Hymn, sung at a Sabbath School Celebration

This is our Freedom’s natal day,
     And on thy bloodless altar, Lord!
Our sacrifice of praise we lay,
     In solemn joy with one accord.

Not with the warlike pageant’s pomp
     Not with the sound of fife and drum,
Not with the blast of the mighty tromp,
     Into thy holy house we come!

No war-rent banner flouts the sky
     In pride above our gathered ranks—
No red-mouthed cannon gives reply
     In thunder to our solemn thanks.

The praises of our warrior-sires—
     The blood-bought honors of the dead,
We pour not from our tuneful lyres,
     Jehovah! as Thy courts we tread.

Thine are the honors which we pay,
     As in Thy temple-gates we stand—
Thine be the triumphs of the day!
     And this, the Sabbath of our land!

We celebrate our Nation’s birth,
     Not with profane, unholy songs—
Not amid rioting and mirth—
     But with hosannas on our tongues!

Blessing Thy goodness for the past,
     And trustful of thy favor still,
We hold each precious promise fast,
     And humbly wait to know Thy will.