Poetry

This collection unveils the extensive poetic output of Henry van Dyke Jr., spanning from the late 19th century into the early 20th. His verse navigates the vast landscape of his life, seamlessly transitioning from vibrant odes celebrating the untamed grandeur of the American wilderness to profound meditations rooted in unwavering Christian faith. A significant portion of this anthology is dedicated to the stirring patriotic pieces he composed while serving as a U.S. envoy in Europe, as the cataclysm of the Great War erupted. Van Dyke, a true Renaissance man of American letters, wore many hats: bestselling novelist, Presbyterian minister, Princeton professor, and diplomat. While his Christmas tales remain beloved, it was his poetry that cemented his legacy. This anthology proudly features his magnum opus, "Hymn of Joy" (immortalized as "Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee"), alongside "For Katrina's Sun-Dial" (also known as "Time Is"), whose poignant lines resonated through Westminster Abbey during Princess Diana's funeral. This collection offers a window into a bygone era of American idealism, faith, and patriotic fervor, penned by a voice that shaped a nation's conscience.