Ancient and Modern ‎#582

582. O God of earth and altar

1 O God of earth and altar,
bow down and hear our cry,
our earthly rulers falter,
our people drift and die;
the walls of gold entomb us,
the swords of scorn divide,
take not thy thunder from us,
but take away our pride.

2 From all that terror teaches,
from lies of tongue and pen,
from all the easy speeches
that comfort cruel men,
from sale and profanation
of honour and the sword,
from sleep and from damnation,
deliver us, good Lord!

3 Tie in a living tether
the prince and priest and thrall,
bind all our lives together,
smite us and save us all;
in ire and exultation
aflame with faith, and free,
lift up a living nation,
a single sword to thee.

Text Information

• First Line: O God of earth and altar
• Author: Gilbert Keith Chesterton (1874-1936)
• Meter: 76 76 D
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2013
• Scripture:
  Proverbs 14:34
  ;
  Jeremiah 6:13-14
• Topic: Justice and Peace; Human Dignity; Justice; Nation and Society; National and Remembrance; Other Saints and Festivals: George, Martyr, Patron of England; Sin; Social Concern

Tune Information

• Name: KING'S LYNN
• Collector and Arranger: Ralph Vaughan Williams (1872-1958)
• Meter: 76 76 D
• Key: d minor
• Source: English Folk Melody
• Copyright: Arrangement: From The English Hymnal, 1906, Reproduced by permission of Oxford University Press. All rights reserved.