The Church Hymnal ‎#201

201. God of our fathers, known of old

1 God of our fathers, known of old,
Lord of our far-flung battle line,
Beneath Whose awful hand we hold
Dominion over palm and pine:
Lord God of hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget, lest we forget.

2 The tumult and the shouting dies;
The captains and the kings depart;
Still stands Thine ancient sacrifice,
An humble and a contrite heart:
Lord God of hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget, lest we forget.

3 Far called our navies melt away,
On dune and headland sinks the fire;
Lo, all our pomp of yesterday
Is one with Nineveh and Tyre!
Judge of the nations, spare us yet,
Lest we forget, lest we forget.

4 If, drunk with sight of power, we loose
Wild tongues that have not Thee in awe,
Such boasting as the Gentiles use,
Or lesser breeds without the law:
Lord God of hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget, lest we forget.

5 For heathen heart that puts her trust
In reeking tube and iron shard;
All valiant dust that builds on dust,
And, guarding, calls not Thee to guard:
For frantic boast and foolish word,
Thy mercy on Thy people, Lord.

Text Information

• First Line: God of our fathers, known of old
• Author: R. Kipling
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1920
• Topic: Holy Days: National Days
• Notes: Public Domain.

Tune Information

• Name: RECESSIONAL
• Composer: J. E. Jones
• Meter: 8.8.8.8.8.8.
• Key: d minor or modal
• Notes: Public Domain.