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We knelt before kings; we bent before lords

Representative Text

1. We knelt before kings; we bent before lords;
For theirs were the crowns, and theirs were the swords:
But times of the bending and bowing are past,
The day of the people is dawning at last!

2. We cringed before gold; we deified wealth;
We laid on its altar the life and the health
Of manhood and womanhood, and childhood and youth;
Its lordship is doomed in this day of the truth.

3. The strength of the state we’ll lavish on more
Than massing of wealth and making of war;
We’re learning at last, though the lesson comes late,
The making of man is the task of the state.

4. Great Day of Jehovah! prophets and seers
Have sung of thy coming thousands of years;
Thank God for each sign that the dark night is past;
The day of the people is dawning at last.

Source: The Cyber Hymnal #7198

Author: William Pierson Merrill

William Pierson Merrill (January 10, 1867 - June 19, 1954) was an American Presbyterian clergyman. He is most remembered for his work on behalf of peace, and for several hymns, most notably "Rise up, O men of God" and "Not alone for mighty empire". Leland Ross Go to person page >

Text Information

First Line: We knelt before kings; we bent before lords
Author: William Pierson Merrill (1914)
Language: English
Copyright: Public Domain

Timeline

Media

The Cyber Hymnal #7198
  • Adobe Acrobat image (PDF)
  • Noteworthy Composer score (NWC)
  • XML score (XML)

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The Cyber Hymnal #7198

Include 7 pre-1979 instances
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