Africa

Africa is a hymn written by one of America's greatest (and almost unknown) composers, William Billings.  Billings was responsible for developing a new style of American hymnody and psalmody in the 18th century.  I have a recording of this song by His Majestie's Clerkes.  The words are by Isaac Watts.

 

Now shall my inwards joys arise,

And burst into a song;

Almighty love inspires my heart,

And pleasure tunes my tongue.

God on his thirsty Zion-Hill

Some mercy-drops has thrown,

And solemn oaths have bound his love

To show'r salvation down.

Why do we then indulge our fears,

Suspicions and complaints?

Is he a God, and shall his grace

Grow weary of his saints?

Can a kind woman e'er forget

The infant of her womb,

And 'mongst a thousand tender thoughts

Her suckling have no room?

Yet, saith the Lord, should nature change,

And mothers monsters prove,

Zion still dwells upon the heart

Of everlasting love.

Deep on the palms of both my hands

I have engrav'd her name;

My hands shall raise her ruin'd walls,

And build her broken frame.