The Beauty of New Zealand
Our hymn for today.
1. God of Nations at Thy feet, In the bonds of love we meet,
Hear our voices, we entreat, God defend our free land.
Guard Pacific's triple star From the shafts of strife and war,
Make her praises heard afar, God defend New Zealand.
2. Men of every creed and race, Gather here before Thy face,
Asking Thee to bless this place, God defend our free land.
From dissension, envy, hate, and corruption guard our state,
Make our country good and great, God defend New Zealand.
3 Let our love for Thee increase, May Thy blessings never cease,
Give us plenty, give us peace, God defend our free land.
From dishonour and from shame, Guard our country's spotless name,
Crown her with immortal fame, God defend New Zealand.
4. May our mountains ever be Freedom's ramparts on the sea,
Make us faithful unto Thee, God defend our free land.
Guide her in the nations' van, Preaching love and truth to man,
Working out Thy glorious plan, God defend New Zealand.
Written as a poem in the 1870's by Irish born Victorian raised immigrant, Thomas Bracken of Dunedin. The song was first performed at the Queen's Theatre, Dunedin on Christmas Day, 1876. In 1940 the NZ Government bought the copyright and made it New Zealand's national hymn. It became NZ's second national anthem on 21 November 1977, on equal standing with 'God Save the Queen.'
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