O God of Earth and Altar

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O God of earth and altar

Author: G. K. Chesterton (1906)
Published in 80 hymnals

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Piano/Organ
	Festival Hymns for Organ, Brass, and Tim…

Choral
	A Hymn to God: Creator

Instrumental
	Worship the King

Representative Text

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 honour and the sword,
from sleep and from damnation,
deliver us, good Lord!

3 Tie in a living tether
the prince and priest 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.

Source: Ancient and Modern: hymns and songs for refreshing worship #582

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Author: G. K. Chesterton

Chesterton, Gilbert Keith, son of Edward Chesterton, was b. May 29, 1874, at Campden Hill, Kensington. London; and is a well-known journalist and author, now (1906) residing at Battersea Park, London. He contributed to The English Hymnal, 1906, a vigorous lyric beginning, "O God of earth and altar"(Prayer for the Nation). [Rev. James Mearns, M.A.] --John Julian, Dictionary of Hymnology, New Supplement (1907)… Go to person page >

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First Line:	O God of earth and altar
Title:	O God of Earth and Altar
Author:	G. K. Chesterton (1906)
Meter:	7.6.7.6 D
Language:	English
Publication Date:	1906
Notes:	French translation: Seigneur, entends nos plaintes" by Flossettte Du Pasquier; German translation: "Gott, Herr der Erden Reiche" by Hanns Lilje
Copyright:	Public Domain