Dancing in an gentle wind
The standards frolic free
Upon the breeze at heaven’s gates
The sovereigns bow to Thee
Though gay and bold the banners fly
They pale before the walls
Of jasper with a brilliant shine
Where kings all prostrate fall
The tribes and nations all unique
Diverse in garb and tongue
Respond in praise to majesty
A voice from every lung
The songs in all their varied strains
Coalesce in melody
A right response, the only one
When they the glory see
One crown is left upon a head
One scepter still upheld
Commanding power, striking fear
In all that have beheld
United under rightful Heir
Of all that’s under sky
And bought at greatest price of all
For God went down to die
Triumphant now, o’er death and dark
The throng before the throne
Will ever worship, ever sing
To mighty God alone
Say what you will about Liberty, the parade of nations is a good tradition.
Those last two verses took four times longer than the rest of the poem to write …