1 O God of earth and altar,
bow down and hear our cry,
our earthly rulers falter,
our people drift and die;
the walls of gold entomb us,
the swords of scorn divide,
take not thy thunder from us,
but take away our pride.
2 From all that terror teaches,
from lies of tongue and pen,
from all the easy speeches
that comfort cruel men,
from sale and profanation
of honour and the sword,
from sleep and from damnation,
deliver us, good Lord!
3 Tie in a living tether
the prince and priest and thrall,
bind all our lives together,
smite us and save us all;
in ire and exultation
aflame with faith, and free,
lift up a living nation,
a single sword to thee.
Gilbert K. Chesterton
The Methodist Hymnal, 1964 edition
<idle musing>
Yes, that G.K. Chesterton. I didn't realize he had also written hymns, but since he wrote poetry, I guess hymns are just a small step away. That being said, I don't recall ever singing it and it only occurs in about seventy-five hymnals.
</idle musing>
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