The Promised Land

By Dorrie Feil

In former days the chosen seer,
Led Israel’s hordes from Egypt’s land
To Caanan’s hills and valleys fair,
Caanan – Israel’s promised land.

In later days Columbus bold
From out a Gentile nation came,
And brought back knowledge to the world
Of a new and fairer promised land.

From every nation under heaven,
The valiant, the poor, the oppressed, the strong,
Have love and wealth and freedom sought
In this oldest, newest promised land.

I stood upon my native shore,
And heard of the Gospel to earth restored,
And knew I must answer the gathering call
To Zion, Ephraim’s promised land.

I stood upon the vessel’s prow
With joy in my heart, a tear in my eye,
For that cloud I saw through the morning mist
Was Zion, the promised land.

Dearer than all the world to me,
Fairer than hope or word or dream,
Thou art Heaven on earth to me,
O Zion, O Promised Land.

(1940)