American Lutheran Hymnal ‎#100

100. From Greenland's Icy Mountains

1 From Greenland's icy mountains,
From India's coral strand,
Where Afric's sunny fountains
Roll down their golden sand;
From many an ancient river,
From many a palmy plain,
They call us to deliver
Their land from error's chain.

2 What though the spicy breezes
Blow soft o'er Ceylon's isle;
Though ev'ry prospect pleases
And only man is vile:
In vain, with lavish kindness,
The gifts of God are strewn;
The heathen in his blindness
Bows down to wood and stone.

3 Shall we, whose souls are lighted
By wisdom from on high--
Shall we to man benighted
The lamp of life deny?
Salvation, O salvation!
The joyful sound proclaim
Till earth's remotest nation
Has learned Messiah's name.

4 Waft, waft, ye winds, His story;
And you, ye waters, roll
Till, like a sea of glory,
It spreads from pole to pole;
Till o'er our ransomed nature,
The Lamb for sinners slain,
Redeemer, King, Creator,
Returns in bliss to reign.

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: From Greenland's icy mountains
• Title: From Greenland's Icy Mountains
• Author: Reginald Heber (1819)
• Meter: 7 6 7 6 D.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1930
• Topic: The Means of Grace: Missions; Processionals and Recessionals: Missions

Tune Information

• Name: MISSIONARY HYMN
• Composer: Lowell Mason (1824)
• Meter: 7 6 7 6 D.
• Key: E♭ Major