The Poetry Corner

A National Hymn. - Government House, March 1880.

By John Campbell

From our Dominion never Take Thy protecting hand, United, Lord, for ever Keep Thou our fathers' land! From where Atlantic terrors Our hardy seamen train, To where the salt sea mirrors The vast Pacific chain. Aye one with her whose thunder Keeps world-watch with the hours, Guard Freedom's home and wonder, "This Canada of ours." Fair days of fortune send her, Be Thou her Shield and Sun! Our land, our flag's Defender, Unite our hearts as one! One flag, one land, upon her May every blessing rest I For loyal faith and honour Her children's deeds attest Aye one with her, &c. No stranger's foot, insulting, Shall tread our country's soil; While stand her sons exulting For her to live and toil. She hath the victor's guerdon, Her's are the conquering hours, No foeman's yoke shall burden "This Canada of ours." Aye one with her, &c. Our sires, when times were sorest, Asked none but aid Divine, And cleared the tangled forest, And wrought the buried mine. They tracked the floods and fountains, And won, with master-hand, Far more than gold in mountains, The glorious Prairie-land. Aye one with her, &c, O Giver of earth's treasure, Make Thou our nation strong; Pour forth Thine hot displeasure On all who work our wrong! To our remotest border Let plenty still increase, Let Liberty and Order, Bid ancient feuds to cease. Aye one with her, &c. May Canada's fair daughters Keep house for hearts as bold As theirs who o'er the waters Came hither first of old. The pioneers of nations! They showed the world the way; Tis ours to keep their stations, And lead the van to-day. Aye one with her, &c. Inheritors of glory, O countrymen! we swear To guard the flag whose story Shall onward victory bear. Where'er through earth's far regions Its triple crosses fly, For God, for home, our legions Shall win, or fighting die! Aye one with her, &c.