"GOD BLESS OUR EMPRESS QUEEN."

Dunstan Times, Issue 1776, 19 June 1896, Page 6

"GOD BLESS OUR EMPRESS QUEEN."

The following spirited lines, written by the Rev. Mr Farley, of Temuka, were read by that gentleman at the close of his sermon in St. Saviour’s Church, Temuka, on Sunday week ; Let mighty England first the glorious keynote sound Of the thrice majestic chorus that girdles earth around . , From the snow-capped Himalayas to Niagaras awful roar, , Re-echoed in New Zealand, caught up on Atnc s shore; .. . Throughout the British Empire, the mightiest earth has seen, Resounds to-day this anthem: God bless our Empress Queen.” From divers nations, creeds, and tongues, in many a sultry clime. . Like the clarion’s silver music rings out the strain sublime; Like the seething mountain torrent, dashing downward to the seas, Like the mighty whirlwind rushing through the giant forest trees, Lik the thunder’s awful rolling through some rocky, wild ravine, Crashes out the heartfelt chorus: God bless our Empress Queen.” God bless her, aye, God bless her, our widow’d Empress Queen, And lighten all her sorrows and dangers from her screen: Deep seated in her subjects hearts, she rules by love, not fear; Love gained by ready sympathy with all her people’s tears; With hearts aflame with loyalty, With lowly reverent mien, We call down choicest blessings on Our Widow d Empress Queen.” In many an Indian temple, with votive garlands hung, In the dark Australian forests, in liquid Maori tongue, . „ , By fair Tasmanian damsels, by Canadian hunters bold, . . .. ’Neath Afric’s scorching sunshine, in Arctic regions cold, In many a stormy tempest, in many a peaceful scene Has the honest prayer been uttered: " God Bless Our Empress Queen.” On many a noble frigate, thundered out by monster guns; In many an ancient fortress, proclaimed by roll of drums; . From many a lofty steeple ring out the joyous bells. Their echoes sweet repeating o'er moorland, crag, and bills. The strain so grand and solemn, so seldom heard, I ween, Of a mighty nation praying; "God Bless our Empress Queen.” God bless onr noble country, our father’s is'and home; Our hearts all turn to England, no matter where we roam, The home of our forefathers, the dearest land on earth; The hind where courage has its home, where freedom has ts birth; t Land of all lands the fairest ’neath the sunbeams golden sheen, God bless our own loved England, and “ Our Glorious Empress Queen.”