O God of earth and altar,
Bow down and hear our cry,
Our earthly rules 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.
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!
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
A flame with faith, and free
Lift up a living nation
A single sword to Thee.
Gilbert Keith Chesterton, "Hymn", 1926
See also "End of the Trail"
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