Good on ya, Kiwis!

Since I blogged on the so-called "missing verse" of Australia's National Anthem (which- contrary to pious myth- was never actually a part of the anthem at all, but which does appeal to Christ to guide and protect that nation), I thought I'd give equal time to the Kiwis- whose anthem, God Defend New Zealand, makes no bones about being a prayer- and a very fine one, too (if one is able to overlook the fact that it's addressed to a rather more generic deity).

While I like the tune of the Australian anthem a little better than that of its still excellent New Zealand counterpart, there is no question in my mind but that the Kiwi anthem's words are far better poetry- as, perhaps, befits a prayer:

God of Nations at Thy feet,
In the bonds of love we meet,
Hear our voices, we entreat,
God defend our free land.
Guard Pacific's triple star
From the shafts of strife and war,
Make her praises heard afar,
God defend New Zealand.

Men of every creed and race,
Gather here before Thy face,
Asking Thee to bless this place,
God defend our free land.
From dissension, envy, hate,
And corruption guard our State,
Make our country good and great,
God defend New Zealand.

Peace, not war, shall be our boast,
But, should foes assail our coast,
Make us then a mighty host,
God defend our free land.
Lord of battles in Thy might,
Put our enemies to flight,
Let our cause be just and right,
God defend New Zealand.

Let our love for Thee increase,
May Thy blessings never cease,
Give us plenty, give us peace,
God defend our free land.
From dishonour and from shame,
Guard our country's spotless name,
Crown her with immortal fame,
God defend New Zealand.

May our mountains ever be
Freedom's ramparts on the sea,
Make us faithful unto Thee,
God defend our free land.
Guide her in the nation's van,
Preaching love and truth to man,
Working out Thy glorious plan,
God defend New Zealand.

OK, so there is a hint of universalism in the second verse; as must necessarily be in any manifestation of civil religion in a modern Western democracy, the god to whom it is at least formally addressed is, after all, the Great and Mighty To Whom It May Concern. But with that very considerable reservation, I think that this is a fine prayer for any nation- and very fitting words for a national anthem. There is an underlying humility, sincerity, common sense and sober good-heartedness in them which make me inclined to admire the nation which chose them to express who its people are, and what lies in their hearts.