When Thy soldiers take their swords

1 When thy soldiers take their swords,
When they speak the solemn words,
When they kneel before thee here,
Feeling thee, their Father, near;
These thy children, Lord, defend;
To their help Thy Spirit send.

2 When the world’s sharp strife is nigh,
When they hear the battle-cry,
When they rush into the fight,
Knowing not temptation’s might;
These thy children, Lord, defend;
To their zeal thy wisdom lend.

3 When their hearts are lifted high
With success or victory,
When they feel the conqu'ror’s pride;
Lest they grow self-satisfied,
These thy children, Lord, defend;
Teach their souls to thee to bend.

4 When the vows that they have made,
When the pray'rs that they have prayed,
Shall be fading from their hearts;
When their first warm faith departs;
These thy children, Lord, defend;
Keep them faithful to the end.

5 Through life’s conflicts guard us all,
Or if wounded some should fall
Ere the victory be won,
For the sake of Christ, thy Son,
These thy children, Lord, defend;
And in death thy comfort lend.

Amen.

Source: Trinity Hymnal #486

• MIDI file from The Cyber Hymnal #7703