National Hymn


 
 

        The year 1876 brought the 100th anniversary of the signing of
     the Declaration of Independence.  For the official celebration
     ceremony, the lyrics written by Reverend Daniel C. Roberts and
     entitled God of Our Fathers, were used for the first time.  The
     tune then used is uncertain, for the music so familiar to us which
     was written by George W. Warren, was not used with Roberts'
     words until the centennial celebration of the adoption of the
     Constitution. This familiar version was later adopted as our
     National Hymn.
 



God of Our Fathers
                  
God of our fathers, Whose almighty hand
 Leads forth in beauty all the starry band
    Of shining worlds in splendor through the sky,
      Our grateful songs before Thy throne arise.

    Thy love divine hath led us in the past,
     In this free land, by Thee our lot is cast,
     Be Thou our ruler, guardian, guide, and stay,
     Thy Word our law, Thy paths our chosen way.


 
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