Harvest Hymn: A Second Poem by Martin Farquhar Tupper

Give thanks, happy Nation! for Mercy rejoices
O'er Judgment to Triumph and fill us with food;
Be glad, O ye People! and lift up your voices
To Him who is ever the Giver of good.

What thanks shall we render? - Ah, sinful and earthy,
The praises we bring are too few and too cold,-
Redeemer! make Thou this poor offering worthy,
And pour out Thy Spirit on us, as of old.

For truly to Thee our fervent desire
Would go forth in grateful acknowledgment here,
But only Thy heart-stirring grace can inspire
The love that is life and that casteth out fear.

Ah! well we fear Thee,- whose judgments are sounding
In thunders of wrath and in trumpets of woe;
And well may we love Thee,- whose mercies abounding
In rivers of peace and prosperity flow.

Yet let us not boast, like a Dives possessing
Garners of wheat with enough and to spare;
But humbly and thankfully taking the blessing
Praise the good Giver, and seek Him in pray'r!