Hear, Lord! a people's strong request,
Hear, Lord! the captive's groan;
Hear, Lord! the voice of ev'ry breast,
That mercy's need hath known.

In princes, vain it were to trust;
And vain in human plan;
Alas! what refuges of dust—
The promises of man!

In dire extreme, to thee we turn,
All other hope denied;
Surely our hearts within us burn,
Since first to thee we cried.

Sustain us, through whatever length
Of struggle yet may be,
Till thou exalt thine arm of strength,
And set the pris'ner free.