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.
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.
Peace, not war, shall be our boast,
But, should foes assail our coast,
Make us then a mighty host,
God defend our free land.
Lord of battles in Thy might,
Put our enemies to flight,
Let our cause be just and right,
God defend New Zealand.
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.
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 nation's van,
Preaching love and truth to man,
Working out Thy glorious plan,
God defend New Zealand.
This is something we need to seriously think about.
I like NZ's anthem. Our US anthem does have references to God in the additional verses, but usually only the first verse is sung. I think you have a good point though - are we really thinking about the words we sing?
ReplyDeleteIt is good isn't it. However they want to change it of course - along with our flag.
ReplyDeleteWhen our National Anthem is sung in public, it is always only the first verse, followed by the Maori version. Or they just sing the Maori version sometimes.
When way under 1% of New Zealanders do not speak Maori as their only language - and when you consider that the Maori translation is very different to the original, it leaves me with the feeling that the reason the Maori verison is sung is so that people do not have to make reference to God.
...Thanks for the comment!