Ancient and Modern ‎#579

579. I vow to thee, my country, all earthly things above

1 I vow to thee, my country, all earthly things above,
entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love:
the love that asks no question, the love that stands the test,
that lays upon the altar the dearest and the best;
the love that never falters, the love that pays the price,
the love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice.

2 And there's another country I've heard of long ago,
most dear to them that love her, most great to them that know;
we may not count her armies, we may not see her King;
her fortress is a faithful heart, her pride is suffering;
and soul by soul and silently her shining bounds increase,
and her ways are ways of gentleness and all her paths are peace.

Text Information

• First Line: I vow to thee, my country, all earthly things above
• Author: Cecil Arthur Spring-Rice (1859-1918)
• Meter: 13 13 13 13 13 13
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 2013
• Scripture:
  1 Corinthians 13:7
  ;
  Hebrews 11:16
• Topic: Children and All-Age Worship; Nation and Society; National and Remembrance; Other Saints and Festivals: Remembrance Sunday; Peace; Remembrance Sunday; Self-offering

Tune Information

• Name: THAXTED
• Composer: Gustav Holst (1874-1934)
• Meter: 13 13 13 13 13 13
• Key: B♭ Major
• Source: From The Planets
• Notes: Adapted by Compilers of Hymns Ancient & Modern Revised, 1950