The Cyber Hymnal ‎#12572

12572. Father Of Mercies, Heavenly Friend

1 Father of mercies, heavenly Friend,
We seek Thy gracious throne;
To Thee our faltering prayers ascend,
Our fainting hearts are known!

2 From blasts that chill, from suns that smite,
From every plague that harms;
In camp and march, in siege and fight,
Protect our men-at-arms!

3 Though from our darkened lives they take
What makes our life most dear,
We yield them for their country’s sake
With no relenting tear.

4 Our blood their flowing veins will shed,
Their wounds our breasts will share;
Oh, save us from the woes we dread,
Or grant us strength to bear!

5 Let each unhallowed cause that brings
The stern destroyer cease,
The flaming angel fold his wings,
And seraphs whisper, "Peace!"

6 Thine are the scepter and the sword,
Stretch forth Thy mighty hand—
Reign Thou our kingless nation’s Lord
Rule Thou our throneless land!

Text Information

• First Line: Father of mercies, heavenly Friend
• Title: Father Of Mercies, Heavenly Friend
• Author: Oliver Wendell Holmes, Sr. (1861)
• Meter: CM
• Language: English
• Source: Songs in Many Keys, 1861
• Copyright: Public Domain
• Notes: Holmes wrote these words dur­ing the Am­er­i­can ci­vil war, but the themes trans­cend time and place: Con­flict, vi­o­lent wea­ther, plague, and pray­ers for loved ones and the na­tion.

Tune Information

• Name: DUNDEE
• Meter: CM
• Key: E♭ Major
• Source: Scottish Psalter, 1615
• Copyright: Public Domain