Thomas Bracken

thumb|Thomas Bracken Thomas Bracken (21 December 1843 – 16 February 1898), born at Clones, County Monaghan, Ireland, was a late 19th century poet who wrote the New Zealand National Anthem and who was the first person to publish the phrase God's Own Country.. Quotes God of Nations, at thy feet,In thy bonds of love we meet,Hear our voices, we entreat,God defend our free land.Guard Pacific's triple starFrom the shafts of strife and war,Make her presence heard afar,God Defend New Zealand! "God Defend New Zealand" (circa 1876, now one of the two national anthems of New Zealand) Give me, give me God's own country! there to live and there to die, "God's Own Country" (circa 1885) External links Category:Lyricists Category:Poets from Ireland Category:1898 deaths