Lutheran Book of Worship ‎#437

437. Not Alone for Mighty Empire

1 Not alone for mighty empire
Stretching far o'er land and sea,
Not alone for bounteous harvests,
Do we praise you gratefully.
Standing in the living present,
Memory and hope between,
Lord, we would with deep thanksgiving
Praise you most for things unseen.

2 Not for battleship and fortress,
Not for conquests of the sword,
But for conquests of the spirit
We give thanks to you, O Lord;
For the heritage of freedom,
For the home, the church, the school,
For the open door to justice
In a land the people rule.

3 For the armies of the faithful,
Those who passed and left no name;
For the glory that illumines
Patriot lives of deathless fame;
For our prophets and apostles,
Loyal to the living Word;
For the strong and free in spirit
We give thanks to you, O Lord.

4 God of justice, save the people
From the clash of race and creed;
From the strife of class and faction,
Make our nation free indeed.
Keep its faith in simple justice
Strong as when its life began,
Till it find complete fruition
By the guiding of your hand.

Text Information

• First Line: Not alone for mighty empire
• Title: Not Alone for Mighty Empire
• Author: William P. Merrill, 1867-1954
• Meter: 87 87 D
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1978
• Topic: Society; Nation
• Copyright: © Estate of William Pierson Merrill
• Notes: Now Public Domain

Tune Information

• Name: GENEVA
• Composer: George H. Day, 1883-1966
• Meter: 87 87 D
• Key: f minor
• Copyright: By permission of The Church Pension Fund