1. Great God! to thee my voice I raise,
To thee my youngest hours belong;
I would begin my life with praise,
Till growing years improve the song.
2. Tis to thy sovereign grace I owe,
That I was born on British ground,
Where streams of heavenly mercy flow,
And words of sweet salvation sound.
3. I would not change my native land
For rich Peru, with all her gold;
A nobler prize lies in my hand
Than East or Western Indies hold.
4. How do I pity those that dwell
Where ignorance and darkness reigns;
They know no heaven, they fear no hell,
Those endless joys, those endless pains.
5. Thy glorious promises, O Lord!
Kindle my hopes and my desire;
While all the preachers of thy word
Warn me to escape eternal fire.
6. Thy praise shall still employ my breath,
Since thou hast marked my way to heaven;
Nor will I run the road to death,
And waste the blessings thou hast given.