1. We gather together to ask the Lord's blessing; He chastens and hastens His will to make known; The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing, Sing praises to His name; He forgets not His own. 2. Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining, Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine; So from the beginning the fight we were winning; Thou, Lord, wast at our side, all glory be Thine! 3. We all do extol Thee, Thou leader triumphant, And pray that Thou still our Defender wilt be. Let Thy congregation escape tribulation; Thy name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!
Lyrics: Dutch folk hymn; translation by Theodore Baker
Music: 16th century Dutch melody
Tune: KREMSER
Meter: 12.11.12.11.
This text was originally written by an anonymous author at the end of the 17th century to celebrate the Dutch freedom from the Spanish overlords, who had been driven from their land. Freedom was now theirs, both politically from Spain and religiously from the Catholic church.