Singing the Living Tradition ‎#190

190. Light of Ages and of Nations

1 Light of ages and of nations,
every race and every time
has received thine inspirations,
glimpses of thy truth sublime.
Always spirits in rapt vision
passed the heavenly veil within,
always hearts bowed in contrition
found salvation from their sin.

2 Reason’s noble aspiration truth
in growing clearness saw;
conscience spoke its condemnation,
or proclaimed eternal law.
While thine inward revelations
told thy saints their prayers were heard,
prophets to the guilty nations
spoke thine everlasting word.

3 Lo, that word abideth ever;
revelation is not sealed;
answering now to our endeavor,
truth and right are still revealed.
That which came to ancient sages,
Greek, Barbarian, Roman, Jew,
written in the soul’s deep pages,
shines today, forever new.

Text Information

• First Line: Light of ages and of nations
• Title: Light of Ages and of Nations
• Author: Samuel Longfellow, 1819-1892
• Meter: 8.7.8.7.D.
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1993
• Topic: Wisdom from the World's Religions: Our Common Ground; Free and Responsible Search for Truth and Meaning; The Living Tradition; Nations; Reason and Science; Truth; World Community
• Notes: Another tune, 189

Tune Information

• Name: AUSTRIA
• Composer: Franz Joseph Haydn, 1732-1809
• Meter: 8.7.8.7.D.
• Key: E♭ Major