This is my favorite hymn. There are at least two different tunes for it and one is considerably better then the other. I couldn't find good videos of either. The words will have to speak for themselves...and they do that very well. :-)
O God of Earth and Altar
O God of earth and altar,
- Bow down and hear our cry,
- Our people drift and die;
- The swords of scorn divide,
- But take away our pride.
From all that terror teaches,
- From lies of tongue and pen,
- That comfort cruel men,
- Of honour and the sword,
- Deliver us, good Lord.
Tie in a living tether
- The prince and priest and thrall,
- Smite us and save us all;
- Aflame with faith, and free,
- A single sword to thee.
- - G.K. Chesterton
Thanks for reading,
Miss Pickwickian
Miss Pickwickian
4 comments:
I love that... I really need to read some G. K. Chesterton... I haven't really read anything by him...
I really like this one too!
"a single sword to thee...."
Who, precisely, is that sword supposed to be cutting into slightly after being raised?
Chesterton did have a rather odd attitude to war.
Anonymous,
Thanks for commenting.
I have always interpreted the last couple lines....
"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."
To mean being lifted up as in pledged or dedicated to. Like a knight swearing to use his sword for his king. Basically something united and dedicated to the service of our King.
Chesterton does use war language, but I think this is biblical. Both the Old and New Testament uses war language. Paul uses a lot of military metaphor.
Thanks for your comment,
Miss Pickwickian
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