In Galilee of the nations…the people that walked in darkness have seen a great light: they that dwell in the land of the shadow of death, upon them hath the light shined.
Isaiah 9:1–2
Words: M. J. Smalley, in Ocean Grove Songs, edited by James N. Fitzgerald, Charles H. Yatman & Tali Esen Morgan (Ocean Grove, New Jersey: Ocean Grove Association, 1900), number 12.
Music: Oviedo M. J. Smalley, 1899 (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know Smalley’s full name, or where to get a good photo of him (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
O Galilee, sweet Galilee!
O land where prophets trod;
O land most sacred in our eyes,
Where walked the Son of God!
We praise the name that hallowed Thee,
Dear Jesus, blessèd name;
As long as tongue shall sound His praise,
So long thy deathless fame.
Refrain
O Galilee, sweet Galilee!
O land where prophets trod;
O Galilee, sweet Galilee,
Where walked the Son of God.
O Galilee, sweet Galilee!
Thy hills are sacred now;
Whose rocks did lend, on wearied nights
A pillow for His brow,
Or from whose crests, where cedars bend,
In silent twilight hour,
He stood enwrapped in prayerful mood,
Awaiting God-sealed power.
Refrain
O Galilee, sweet Galilee!
We claim thee as our own;
Where first He came, whose mission was
To bind all flesh in one;
O native land, O covenant land,
Of earth’s most royal king!
We give thee meed of blessèd praise,
While we His glory sing.
Refrain