Wednesday, April 24, 2024

For all the saints, who from their labor rest

527 Sarum. 10. 10. 10. 10. with Allelulias.
      (second tune) Sine Nomine. 10. 10. 10. with Allelulias.

1 For all the saints who from their labors rest,
   Who Thee by faith before the world confessed,
   Thy name, O Jesus, be forever blest.
   Alleluia! Alleluia!

2 Thou wast their Rock, their Fortress and their Might;
   Thou, Lord, their Captain in the well-fought fight;
   Thou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light.
   Alleluia! Alleluia!

3 Oh, may Thy soldiers, faithful, true, and bold,
   Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old
   And win with them the victor’s crown of gold.
   Alleluia! Alleluia!

4 O blest communion, fellowship divine,
   We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
   Yet all are one in Thee, for all are Thine.
   Alleluia! Alleluia!

5 And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,
   Steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
   And hearts are brave again, and arms are strong.
   Alleluia! Alleluia!

6 From earth’s wide bounds, from ocean’s farthest coast,
   Through gates of pearl, streams in the countless host,
   Singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost,
   Alleluia! Alleluia!
                         William W. How
                         The Methodist Hymnal 1939 edition

<idle musing>
We always sang the second tune, the name of which always struck me as funny; sine nomine means "without a name," which by naming it means it isn't without a name any longer. Anyway, I was surprised to find that it is only in about 530 hymnals. Some add another two verses:

6 But lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day;
   The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
   The King of glory passes on His way.
   Alleluia! Alleluia!

8 The golden evening brightens in the west;
   Soon, soon to faithful warriors cometh rest.
   Sweet is the calm of Paradise the blest.
   Alleluia! Alleluia!

</idle musing>

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