Concordia ‎#209

209. My Church! my Church!

1 My church! my church! my dear old church!
My fathers’ and my own!
On Prophets and Apostles built,
And Christ the corner-stone!
All else beside, by storm or tide,
May yet be over-thrown:
But not my church, my dear old church,
My fathers’ and my own!

2 My church! my church! my dear old church!
My glory and my pride!
Firm in the faith Immanuel taught,
She holds no faith beside.
Upon this rock, ‘gainst ev'ry shock,
Tho' gates of hell assail,
She stands secure, with promise sure,
“They never shall prevail.”

3 My church! my church! my dear old church!
I love her ancient name;
And God forbid, a child of hers
Should ever do her shame!
Her mother-care I'll ever share;
Her child I am alone,
Till He who gave me to her arms
Shall call me to His own.

4 My church! my church! my dear old church!
I've heard the tale of blood,
Of hearts that loved her to the death--
The great, the wise, the good.
Our martyred sires defied the fires
For Christ the crucified;
The once delivered faith to keep,
They burned, they bled, they died.

5 My church! my church! I love my church!
For she exalts my Lord!
She speaks, she breathes, she teaches not,
But from His written Word;
And if her voice bids me rejoice,
From all my sins released,
'Tis thro' th'atoning sacrifice,
And Jesus is the Priest.

Text Information

• First Line: My church! my church! my dear old church!
• Title: My Church! my Church!
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1918
• Topic: Childhood and Youth: Youth; Reformation

Tune Information

• Name: ATHENS
• Composer: Felice de Giardini, 1716-96
• Key: E♭ Major