1. Father, thy children to thee now raiseGlad, grateful songs for thy love and grace—For thy protecting and watchful careOver thy Saints dwelling far and near;Grateful to thee for the gospel light,Which with its truth fills us with delight;Glad that we’ve chosen the better part,Songs of delight fill each grateful heart.
2. Thankful to thee that a pilgrim bandBrought us to dwell in this favored land,Led o’er the deserts and plains by thee,Here to a land of true liberty;Thankful to thee for the mountains high,The fresh’ning breeze and the clear, blue sky;And for the fields covered o’er with corn,Which now our loved mountain vales adorn.
3. Oh, may our songs to thy courts ascend,Pleasing to thee may our voices blend;Lead us as thou hast the faithful led,Feed us with knowledge and daily bread.Let us not stray from the paths of truth,Forgive the folly and faults of youth;Father, accept thou the songs of praiseWhich from our hearts unto thee we raise.