Hail! the first, the greatest blessing

Hail! the first, the greatest blessing, God hath given to man below; Hail to Freedom, Independence, Boundless, boundless may they flow! Favor'd people, blest Columbia, happy nation, Freedom, Peace, be ever thine.

Give to God the pow'r and glory, Own 'twas his almighty hand, Which from Britain's Isle conducted, Patriot heroes to this land; Then a desart, waste and howling, then a desart, Now th' asylum of the earth.

Who subdu'd the war-like savage, Nimrod hunter of the wood? Who amid the storm of battle, In the cloud of pillar stood? 'Twas Jehovah, 'twas Jehovah, 'twas Jehovah. Universal nature's Lord.

When a parent to the children, Scorpions gave instead of bread, Who educing good from evil, Hungry babes with plenty fed? Shout Jehovah, sing Jehovah, shout Jehovah, Praises, praises be to him.

High exalted, firmly seated, Independent, sovereign, free, May Columbia's grateful millions Glory, glory give to thee. Might, dominion, praises, blessing, glory, glory, All the glory, Lord, be thine.

Ev'ry nation, all the kingdoms, Bless, oh bless, eternal Sire! Man adoring, angels hymning, Love and gratitude inspire. Rapture feeling, transports shouting, praises sounding, Hail, they cry, amen, amen.