The Hymnal ‎#373

373. Once to every man and nation

1 Once to every man and nation
Comes the moment to decide,
In the strife of truth with falsehood,
For the good or evil side;
Some great cause, God's new Messiah,
Offering each the bloom or blight,
And the choice goes by forever
'Twixt that darkness and that light.

2 By the light of burning martyrs,
Jesus' bleeding feet I 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.

3 Though the cause of evil prosper,
Yet 't is truth alone is strong;
Though her portion be the scaffold,
And upon the throne be wrong,
Yet that scaffold sways the future,
And, behind the dim unknown,
Standeth God within the shadow
Keeping watch above His own.

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: Once to every man and nation
• Author: James Russell Lowell (1845)
• Meter: 8. 7. 8. 7. D.
• Publication Date: 1950
• Topic: Work; The Kingdom of God on Earth: Discipleship and Service; Discipleship and Service; Loyalty and Courage; Social Progress; Young People's Day

Tune Information

• Name: TON-Y-BOTEL
• Meter: 8. 7. 8. 7. D.
• Key: f minor
• Source: Welsh hymn melody
• Copyright: Tune used by permission of W. Gwenlyn Evans and Sons.