Anandamath Abbey of Bliss" (literally Anand=Bliss and Math=Abbey). "Vande Mataram", "Hail to the Mother", first song to represent Bengal - or India, which is almost synonymous at that time as far as nationalism is concerned - as the Mother (the goddess Durga) was published in this novel. The book is set in the years during the famine in Bengal in 1770 CE. It starts with introduction to a couple, Mahendra and Kalyani, who are stuck at their village "Padachina" without food and water in the times of famine. They decide to leave their village and move to the next closest city
I Vow to Thee, My Country I __ vow to thee, my coun -- try, all earth -- ly things a -- bove }</score> The hymn as printed in "Songs of Praise" (1925) consisted only of the two verses of the 1918 version, credited "Words: Cecil Spring-Rice, 1918; Music: Thaxted", as follows: <poem style="margin-left: 2em;"> I vow to thee, my country, all earthly things above, Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love; The love that asks no question, the love that stands the test, That lays upon the altar the dearest and the best; The love that never falters, the love that pays