Voices United ‎#694

694. To Us All, to Every Nation

1 To us all, to every nation
comes a moment to decide,
in the strife of truth with falsehood
for the good or evil side,
some great cause, some modern prophet
offering each the bloom or blight,
and the choice goes by for ever
'twixt that darkness and that light.

2 Then to side with truth is noble
when we share its wretched crust,
ere the cause bring fame and profit
and 'tis prosperous to be just.
Then it is the brave one chooses,
while the coward stands aside
till the multitude make virtue
of the faith they had denied.

3 By the light of burning martyrs,
Jesus' bleeding feet we track,
toiling up new Calvaries ever
with the cross that turns not back;
new occasions teach new duties,
time makes ancient good uncouth;
they must upward still and onward,
who would keep abreast of truth.

4 Though the cause of evil prosper,
yet 'tis truth alone is strong,
though its portion be the scaffold
and upon the throne be wrong.
Yet that scaffold sways the future,
and, behind the dim unknown,
there stands God within the shadow,
keeping watch beside God's own.

Text Information

• First Line: To us all, to every nation
• Title: To Us All, to Every Nation
• Adapter: W. Garrett Horder (1894, alt.)
• Author: James Russell Lowell (1845)
• Meter: 8 7 8 7 D
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1996
• Topic: The Church in the World: Commitment: Peace and Justice; Commitment; Evil; Justice; Peace (World)

Tune Information

• Name: EBENEZER
• Composer: Thomas John Williams (1890)
• Meter: 8 7 8 7 D
• Key: f minor