Singing the Living Tradition ‎#187

187. It Sounds Along the Ages

1 It sounds along the ages,
soul answering to soul;
it kindles on the pages
of every Bible scroll;
the psalmist heard and sang it,
from martyr lips it broke,
and prophet tongues out-rang it
till sleeping nations woke.

2 From Sinai’s cliffs it echoed,
it breathed from Buddha’s tree,
it charmed in Athens’ market,
it hallowed Galilee;
the hammer stroke of Luther,
the Pilgrims’ seaside prayer,
the oracles of Concord
one holy word declare.

3 It calls — and lo, new justice!
It speaks — and lo, new truth!
In ever nobler stature
and unexhausted youth.
Forever on resounding,
and knowing nought of time,
our laws but catch the music
of its eternal chime.

Text Information

• First Line: It sounds along the ages
• Title: It Sounds Along the Ages
• Author: William Channing Gannett, 1840-1923
• Meter: 7.6.7.6.D.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1993
• Topic: Wisdom from the World's Religions: Our Common Ground; The Living Tradition; Truth; World Community

Tune Information

• Name: FAR OFF LANDS
• Meter: 7.6.7.6.D.
• Key: D Major
• Source: Melody of the Bohemian Brethren, Hemlandssånger, Rock Island, Illinois, 1892, arr.