You help make Hymnary.org possible.

In 2025, more than 10 million people from 200+ countries found hymns, liturgical resources, and encouragement here. If Hymnary has meant something to you this year, would you take a moment to help sustain it? A gift of any size — and a note of encouragement, if you'd like to share one — directly supports the server costs, research, and curation that keep this resource freely available to the world.

Give securely online today, or mail a check to:
Hymnary.org (c/o Calvin University)
3201 Burton Street SE
Grand Rapids, MI 49546

Thank you for being part of this important online ministry resource.

Click here to donate to Hymnary.org I have already donated. Please don't show this to me again
Text:Hark! The Distant Isles Proclaim
Author:William H. Bathurst
Tune:NEW CALABAR
Composer:John Downing Farrer, 1829-1919
Media:MIDI file

10239. Hark! The Distant Isles Proclaim

1 Hark! the distant isles proclaim
Glory to Messiah’s name;
Hymns of praise unheard before,
Echo from the farthest shore.

2 Hearts that once were taught to own
Idol gods of wood and stone,
Now to light and life restored
Honor Jesus as their Lord.

3 Blessèd Savior, still proceed;
Bid the glorious conquest speed;
Let this first refreshing ray
Brighten to a perfect day.

4 At Thy Gospel’s solemn call
Bid the towers of Satan fall;
And his wretched slaves obtain
Freedom from their galling chain.

5 Let the messengers of peace
Raise their voice and never cease
Till the world from sin made free,
Shall unite to worship Thee.

Text Information
First Line: Hark! the distant isles proclaim
Title: Hark! The Distant Isles Proclaim
Author: William H. Bathurst
Meter: 77.77
Language: English
Source: Psalms and Hymns for Public and Private Use (London: Hatchard and Sons, 1831)
Copyright: Public Domain
Notes: Alternate tune: GLAD DAY by William W. Gilchrist
Tune Information
Name: NEW CALABAR
Composer: John Downing Farrer, 1829-1919
Meter: 77.77
Key: G Major
Copyright: Public Domain



Media
Adobe Acrobat image: PDF
MIDI file: Midi
Noteworthy Composer score: Noteworthy Composer Score
More media are available on the tune authority page.

Suggestions or corrections? Contact us
It looks like you are using an ad-blocker. Ad revenue helps keep us running. Please consider white-listing Hymnary.org or getting Hymnary Pro to eliminate ads entirely and help support Hymnary.org.