Africa (William Billings)

Billings also wrote an "Asia" and an "America"; more often, he adopted the names of (arbitrarily chosen) New England towns to label his tunes.

Since it readily fits any iambic quatrain written in couplets of eight and six syllables (common meter), singers of this version would certainly have had no trouble finding lyrics to accompany it.

Now shall my inward joys arise, And burst into a Song; Almighty Love inspires my Heart, And Pleasure tunes my Tongue.

Sometimes the other stanzas by Watts are also sung to the tune of "Africa"; they are as follows: God on his thirsty Sion-Hill Some Mercy-Drops has thrown, And solemn Oaths have bound his Love To show'r Salvation down.

Yet, saith the Lord, should Nature change, And Mothers Monsters prove, Sion still dwells upon the Heart Of everlasting Love.