African Methodist Episcopal Church Hymnal ‎#584

584. We're Gathered to Pay Homage

1 We're gathered to pay homage to our heroes of the past.
They braved the heat of day, the cold of night, the stormy blast;
And laid the church's foundations in this country true and fast,
Now the church is moving on.

Refrain:
Glory! glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! glory! Hallelujah!
Glory! glory! Hallelujah!
The church is marching on.

2 We think of Richard Allen and his band across the sea.
Like the sparks upon his anvil came the word to make us free:
That God's our Father, Christ Redeemer, man our brother be,
And the church is marching on. [Refrain]

3 When Turner, from the U.S.A., came here to find the door,
And in his train came Coppin and our leaders by the score;
Mokone, Gow and Tantsi gathered others more and more,
And the church in moving on. [Refrain]

4 For all those years God led them into sunlight from dark tears;
He blessed the glorious work done by the noble pioneers.
He still stands now to guide us to take away our fears;
Let the church keep marching on. [Refrain]

Text Information

• First Line: We're gathered to pay homage to our heroes of the past
• Title: We're Gathered to Pay Homage
• Author: E. M. Gordon, d. 1978
• Refrain First Line: Glory! glory! Hallelujah!
• Meter: 15 15 15.6. with Refrain
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2011
• Scripture:
  Jude 1:3
• Topic: Occasional Services: Founder's Day

Tune Information

• Name: BATTLE HYMN OF THE REPUBLIC
• Meter: 15 15 15.6. with Refrain
• Key: B♭ Major
• Source: American Camp Meeting Tune