The day of freedom

O Thou whose presence went before

Author: John Greenleaf Whittier
Tune: BRANDON (35435)
Published in 27 hymnals

Representative Text

O Thou, whose presence went before
Our fathers in their weary way,
As with Thy chosen moved of yore
The fire by night, the cloud by day!

When, from each temple of the free,
A nation’s song ascends to heaven,
Most holy Father, unto Thee
Now let our humble prayer be given.

Sweet peace be here; and hope and love
Be round us as a mantle thrown,
As unto Thee, supreme above,
The knee of prayer is bowed alone.

And grant, O Father, that the time
Of earth’s deliverance may be near,
When every land, and tongue, and clime,
The message of Thy love shall hear;—

When, smitten as with fire from heaven,
The captive’s chain shall sink in dust,
And to his fettered soul be given
The glorious freedom of the just.



Source: A Book of Hymns for Public and Private Devotion (15th ed.) #435

Author: John Greenleaf Whittier

Whittier, John Greenleaf, the American Quaker poet, was born at Haverhill, Massachusetts, Dec. 17, 1807. He began life as a farm-boy and shoemaker, and subsequently became a successful journalist, editor and poet. In 1828 he became editor of the American Manufacturer (Boston), in 1830 of the New England Review, and an 1836 (on becoming Secretary to the American Anti-Slavery Society) of the Pennsylvania Freeman. He was also for some time, beginning with 1847, the corresponding editor of the National Era. In 1840 he removed to Amesbury, Massachusetts, where most of his later works have been written. At the present time [1890] he lives alternately at Amesbury and Boston. His first poetical piece was printed in the Newburyport Free Press in 182… Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: O Thou whose presence went before
Title: The day of freedom
Author: John Greenleaf Whittier
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Instances

Instances (1 - 27 of 27)
Text

A Book of Hymns for Public and Private Devotion (15th ed.) #435

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A Book of Hymns for Public and Private Devotion. (10th ed.) #435

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Children's Praise #120

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Christian Hymns for Public and Private Worship #750

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Church Choral-Book #80

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Freedom's Lyre #203

Grammar School Hymn Book #d196

Hymn and Tune Book for the Church and the Home and Services for Congregational Worship. Rev. ed. #d551

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Hymn and Tune Book for the Church and the Home. (Rev. ed.) #804

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Hymn and Tune Book, for the Church and the Home #691

Hymn Book for Christian Worship. 8th ed. #d13

Hymns and Songs for the Friends of Freedom #d16

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Hymns and Songs for the Sunday School #158

Hymns for Children and Young Persons #d327

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Hymns for Christian Devotion #803

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Hymns for Christian Devotion #803

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Hymns for Public Worship #561

Hymns for Sunday School Worship #d61

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Hymns for the Church of Christ (3rd thousand) #465

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Hymns for the Church of Christ. (6th thousand) #465

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Hymns of the Spirit #253

One Hundred Non-Sectarian Hymns for Use in Church and Home. 10 vols. in 1 #d56

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Songs of the League #46

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The Gospel Psalmist #799

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The School Hymn-Book #279

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The Students' Hymnal #246

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Vestry Harmonies #104a

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