Say, oh! say, My people,
Why thus ungrateful rove!
why repay with coldness
the ardour of My love!
If I am He who died to save,
Who life redeeming ransom gave;
Must I complain; That all this love was vain!

For child did father bear
What I for you have borne'?
To father did child give
Like you such cause to mourn?
And yet this heart, though outraged so,
Can nought but fond forgiveness show.
Then come, return
Nor all its mercy spurn.

Think not that my heart asks
A sacrifice too great;
It asks of man but love,
And man returns but hate.
Heedful of ev'ry passion word,
But deaf to me, his God and Lord.
The more l press,
He heeds my voice the less.

Yes, we come, sweet Jesus,
We hearken to your call
And give you due tribute
Of love, life, freedom, all.
No more the world's deceitful charms
Shall wrest your children from your arms,
Nor Satan with
Our hearts from you to sin.