From Greenland Icy Mountains - Traditional

From Greenland's icy mountains,
From India's coral strand,
Where Afric's sunny fountains
Roll down their golden sand,
From many an ancient river,
From many a palmy plain,
They call us to deliver
Their land from error's chain.

What though the spicy breezes
Blow soft o'er Ceylon's isle,
Though every prospect pleases,
And only man is vile?
In vain with lavish kindness
The gifts of God are strown;
The heathen in his blindness
Bows down to wood and stone.

Shall we, whose souls are lighted
With wisdom from on high,
Shall we to men benighted
The lamp of life deny?
Salvation! O salvation!
The joyful sound proclaim,
Till each remotest nation
Has learned Messiah's name.

Waft, waft, ye winds, His story,
And you, ye waters, roll,
Till, like a sea of glory,
It spreads from pole to pole;
Till o'er our ransomed nature
The Lamb for sinners slain,
Redeemer, King, Creator,
In bliss returns to reign.

From Greenland Icy Mountains lyrics were written by Reginald Heber for a special mission service. The song describes the diverse landscapes of the world�from Africas sunny fountains to Indias coral strand�and the need for the lamp of life to shine in every place. It acknowledges the beauty of creation while highlighting the spiritual blindness that the Gospel seeks to heal. By singing these lyrics the congregation reflects on the historical scope of the missionary movement and the enduring task of making the name of the Savior known across every geographical and cultural boundary of the human family.