King of the City Splendid,
Eternal in the height,
May all our country's cities
Grow holy in Thy sight;
Cleansed from the deeds of darkness-
Cities of light.
Teach love to gladden children
That know not childhood's mirth,
Wronged of their rights-no beauty
In their scant reach of earth;
To hope's large sunshine give them
A second birth.
Give joy to all the joyless,
Song's voice to sorrows dumb,
May light invade with blessing
Each dark and deathly slum;
Into earth's realms of horror
Thy Kingdom come!
Soon may our country's cities
Thy robe of glory wear;
Each place of toil a temple,
Each house a home of prayer;
Each city's name of beauty-
The Lord is there!
