The Hymnal ‎#419

419. O God of earth and altar

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 honor and the sword;
From sleep and from damnation,
Deliver us, good Lord!

3 Tie in a living tether
The priest and prince 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.

Amen.

Text Information

• First Line: O God of earth and altar
• Author: Gilbert K. Chesterton
• Meter: 7. 6. 7. 6. D.
• Publication Date: 1950
• Topic: The Kingdom of God on Earth: The Nation; Country, our; Nation, The
• Copyright: Words and tune from "The English Hymnal." By permission of the Oxford University Press.

Tune Information

• Name: LLANGLOFFAN
• Meter: 7. 6. 7. 6. D.
• Key: g minor
• Source: D. Evans' "Hymnau a Thonau," 1865; Welsh hymn melody
• Copyright: Words and tune from "The English Hymnal." By permission of the Oxford University Press.