To Zion

O PEOPLE long oppressed and stricken sore,

Condemned as wanderers on the earth to mourn

Across the age-long darkness of thy fate,

There breaks at length the radiance of the dawn.

Behold a land, thy birthright and thy home,

On thee by Heaven bestowed, by Heaven withdrawn,

Yet promised to thy seed forevermore;

Yea, He, the Mighty One, Himself hath sworn.

Behold its plains unsown, its rock-strewn slopes,

Whereon no more the vine and almond grows.

Those barren hills again shall cedars crown,

The land for thee shall blossom as the rose.

Return to thy rest, at last return;

Cry to the South “Give back! Give back O North!”

Those mountains summon and those valleys cry,

By twos and threes, by tens, in troops go forth

Though yet afar the Peace of Zion waits,

Perchance through flames and blood thy pathway lies,

Fear not—Be strong—Thy heritage regain

O Judah, tarry not! Israel arise.