Centennial Hymn by John Greenleaf Whittier
The poem is a tribute to the American Revolution and its ideals of freedom and democracy. It reflects on the country's history and the struggles it has faced in achieving its goals. The speaker expresses gratitude for the sacrifices made by those who fought for independence and emphasizes the importance of preserving the nation's values.
By John Greenleaf Whittier · First published 1865 · Genre: Hymn, Religious Poetry, Patriotic Literature · 331 words
First lines
Written for the opening of the International Exhibition, Philadelphia, May 10, 1876. The music for the hymn was written by John K. Paine, and may be found in The Atlantic Monthly for June, 1876.
I. Our fathers' God! from out whose hand The centuries fall like grains of sand, We meet to-day, united, free, And loyal to our land and Thee, To thank Thee for the era done, And trust Thee for the opening one.
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Genres
- Hymn — The work is explicitly a hymn, intended for a ceremonial occasion, focusing on themes of gratitude and divine guidance.
- Religious Poetry — The poem incorporates religious themes, invoking God and expressing a spiritual connection to the past and future.
- Patriotic Literature — The text reflects national pride and unity, celebrating the achievements and aspirations of the nation.
- Lyric Poetry — The work employs personal expression and emotional depth typical of lyric poetry, focusing on themes of hope and reflection.
Tags
American Literature · Poetry · 19th Century · Historical Fiction · Patriotism · Nationalism · American Identity · Colonial Era · Revolutionary War · Independence Day · Freedom · Liberty
What this Textopian page supports
Centennial Hymn is listed on Textopian as a poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, dated 1865 CE.
This source record anchors work identity, reading entry points, and catalog context for checking claims about the work.
- Work type: Poem
- Author: John Greenleaf Whittier
- Date: 1865 CE
- Language: English
- Genres: Hymn, Religious Poetry, Patriotic Literature, Lyric Poetry, Occasional Poetry
- Length: 331 words
- Structure: 1 section, 7 paragraphs
- Reading fit: Standard (8th-9th Grade)
Good citation fit
- Work identity for Centennial Hymn by John Greenleaf Whittier
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