Worship in Song ‎#290

290. 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
Poor home and mighty hall;
Bind all our lives together,
Transform and save us all;
In ire and exultation
Aflame with faith, and free,
Lift up a living nation
With hearts made one in thee!

Text Information

• First Line: O God of earth and altar
• Title: O God of Earth and Altar
• Author: Gilbert Keith Chesterton
• Adapter: P. Blood-Patterson
• Meter: 7.6.7.6.D.
• Publication Date: 1996
• Topic: Equality; Human Family; Justice; Sharing
• Copyright: © 1906 Oxford University Press
• Notes: Now Public Domain

Tune Information

• Name: LLANGLOFFAN
• Composer: David Evans (1927)
• Meter: 7.6.7.6.D.
• Key: g minor
• Source: Traditional Welsh melody
• Copyright: © 1927 Oxford University Press