Hail great Republic of the world, <br />Which rear'd her empire in the West, <br />Where fam'd Columbus' flag unfurl'd, <br />Gave tortured Europe scenes of rest; <br />Be thou forever great and free, <br />The land of Love, and Liberty! <br /> <br />Beneath thy spreading, mantling vine, <br />Beside each flowery grove and spring, <br />And where thy lofty mountains shine, <br />May all thy sons and fair ones sing. <br />Be thou forever, etc. <br /> <br />From thee may hellish discord prowl, <br />With all her dark and hateful train; <br />And while thy mighty waters roll, <br />May heaven-descended concord reign. <br />Be thou forever, etc. <br /> <br />Where'er the Atlantic surges lave, <br />Or sea the human eye delights, <br />There may thy starry standard wave, <br />The constellation of thy rights! <br />Be thou forever, etc. <br /> <br />May ages as they rise proclaim <br />The glories of thy natal day; <br />And states from thy exalted name <br />Learn how to rule, and to obey. <br />Be thou forever, etc. <br /> <br />Let laureates make their birthdays known, <br />Or how war's thunderbolts are hurl'd; <br />'Tis ours the charter, ours alone, <br />To sing the birthday of a world <br />Be thou forever great and free, <br /> <br />The land of Love and Liberty!<br /><br />Thomas Paine<br /><br />http://www.poemhunter.com/poem/hail-great-republic/
