My country Tis of Thee
Samuel Francis Smith wrote the lyrics to "My Country Tis of Thee" while studying at Andover Theological Seminary in 1831. It served as a de facto National Anthem prior to the adoption of the Star Spangled Banner. Unfortunately, most Americans are not aware there are a total of four verses to this song. Pay special attention to the last verse.
My country, 'tis of thee,
Sweet land of liberty,
Of thee I sing;
Land where my fathers died,
Land of the pilgrims' pride,
From ev'ry mountainside
Let freedom ring!
My native country, thee,
Land of the noble free,
Thy name I love;
I love thy rocks and rills,
Thy woods and templed hills;
My heart with rapture thrills,
Like that above.
Let music swell the breeze,
And ring from all the trees
Sweet freedom's song;
Let mortal tongues awake;
Let all that breathe partake;
Let rocks their silence break,
The sound prolong.
Our fathers' God to Thee,
Author of liberty,
To Thee we sing.
Long may our land be bright,
With freedom's holy light,
Protect us by Thy might,
Great God our King!
[Emphasis added]