424. For Thee, O Dear, Dear Country

For thee, O dear, dear country, Mine eyes their vigils keep; For very love beholding Thy holy name, they weep. The mention of thy glory Is unction to the breast, And medicine in sickness, And love, and life, and rest. O one, O only mansion! O Paradise of joy! Where tears are ever banish'd And smiles have no alloy; Thy loveliness oppresses All human thought and heart, And none, O Peace, O Sion, Can sing thavas thou art. With jasper glow thy bulwarks, Thy streets with emeralds blaze; The sardius and the topaz Unite in thee their rays; Thine ageless walls are bonded With amethyst unpriced; The saints shall build thy fabric, And the cornerstone is Christ. The cross is all thy splendor, The Crucified thy praise; His laud and benediction Thy ransom'd saints shall raise; Upon the Rock of Ages They build thy holy tower; Thine is the victor's laurel, And thine the golden dower. O sweet and blessed country, The home of God's elect! O sweet and blessed country That eager hearts expect! Jesus, in mercy bring us To that dear land of rest, Who art, with God the Father, And Spirit, ever blest.