Praise to the Man

On the 166th anniversary of Joseph Smith’s death.
William Wines Phelps’ pean to Joseph Smith:

August, 1844.

Praise to the man who commun’d with Jehovah,
Jesus anointed “that Prophet and Seer,”
Blessed to open the last dispensation;–
Kings shall extol him, and nations revere.

CHORUS–Hail to the Prophet, ascended to heaven,
Traitors and tyrants now fight him in vain,
Mingling with Gods, he can plan for his
brethren,
Death cannot conquer the here again.

Praise to his mem’ry, he died as a martyr;
Honor’d and blest be his ever great name;
Long shall his blood, which was shed by assassins,
Stain Illinois, while the earth lauds his fame.[1]

CHORUS–Hail to the Prophet, &c.

Great is his glory, and endless his priesthood,
Ever and ever the keys he will hold;
Faithful and true he will enter his kingdom,
Crown’ed in the midst of the prophets of old.

CHORUS—Hail to the Prophet, &c.

SACRIFICE brings forth the blessings of heaven;
Earth must atone for the blood of that man!
Wake up the world for the conflict of justice,
Millions shall know “brother Joseph” again.

CHORUS—Hail to the Prophet, &c.

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[1] In 1929 the words were changed to “Plead unto heav’n while the earth lauds his fame.”