COME let our songs resound
Within these peaceful walls:
The light of knowledge shines around,
And e'en on us it falls.
Through God our father's care,
Though we deserved it not,
Our lines in pleasant places are,
And goodly is our lot.
This cheerful morning sun,
That lights our happy plains,
Shines, ere its daily course is run,
Where heathen darkness reigns.
Before the dawn of day
On Britain's favored isle,
Downward he casts his burning ray
On many a pagan pile.
He saw the savage wild,
Some idol's help implore;
He saw the untaught Indian child
His painted gods adore.
Lord, let thy light, we pray,
On them–on us arise:
For we are foolish, blind as they,
Till Jesus make us wise.
We learn thy blessed will,
We read thy holy word,
Then may we thy commands fulfil,
Which others never heard.
