Historic Sheet Music Collection

Document Type

Score

Publication Date

1844

Comments

The pilgrims' legacy. "A church without a bishop," "A state without a king." As sung at the Broadway Tabernacle, Feb. 26th. 1844. New York : Published by Mark H. Newman, No. 199 Broadway.

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Lyrics

The May-Flower, on New England's coast, has furled sail,
And through her chaf'd and moaning shrouds December's breezes wail;
Yet on that icy deck behold a meek but dauntless band,
who, for the right to worship God, have left their native land;
CHORUS
And to a dreary wilderness this glorious boon they bring,
And to a dreary wilderness this glorious boon they bring,
And to a dreary wilderness this glorious boon they bring,
A church without a bishop,
And to a dreary wilderness this glorious boon they bring,
A Church without a bishop,
State without a King,
A Church without a Bishop, a State without a King.
State without a King,
A Church without a Bishop, a State without a King.
A Church without a Bishop, a State without a King.
A Church without a Bishop, a State without a King.

Those daring men, those gently wives say, wherefore do they come?
Why rend they all the tender ties of kindred and of home?
'Tis Heaven assigns their noble work, man's spirit to unbind;
They come not for themselves alone- they come for all mankind;
And to the empire of the West this glorious boon they bring,
A Church without a Bishop- a State without a King.

Then, Prince and Prelate, hope no more to bend them to your sway,
Devotion's fire inflames their breasts, and freedom points their way;
And, in their brave hearts' estimate, 'twere the soul cannot be free;
And therefore o'er the wintry wave, those exiles come to bring
A Church without a Bishop- a State without a King.

And still their spirit, in their sons, with freedom walks abroad,
The Bible is our only creed- our only monarch, God!
The hand is raised- the word is spoke- the solemn pledge is given,
And boldly on our banner floats, in the free air of heaven,
The motto of our sainted sires- and loud we make it ring
A Church without a Bishop- a State without a King.

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