God of Our Fathers, Known of Old

Lyrics by: Rudyard Kipling (1897)
Music by: ()
Tune: · 8.8.8.8
Scripture

Verse 1

God of our fathers, known of old,
Lord of our far-flung battle line,
Beneath whose awful hand we hold
Dominion over palm and pine,
Lord God of hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget, lest we forget.

Verse 2

The tumult and the shouting dies;
The captains and the kings depart;
Still stands Thine ancient sacrifice,
A humble and a contrite heart.
Lord God of hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget, lest we forget.

Verse 3

Far called, our navies melt away;
On dune and headland sinks the fire;
Lo, all our pomp of yesterday
Is one with Nineveh and Tyre!
Judge of the nations, spare us yet,
Lest we forget, lest we forget.

Verse 4

If, drunk with sight of power, we loose
Wild tongues that have not Thee in awe,
Such boastings as the Gentiles use,
Or lesser breeds without the law —
Lord God of hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget, lest we forget.

Verse 5

For heathen heart that puts her trust
In reeking tube and iron shard;
All valiant dust that builds on dust,
And, guarding, calls not Thee to guard,
For frantic boast and foolish word,
Thy mercy on Thy people, Lord.

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Kipling's imperial-era poem later adapted as a hymn, reflecting late 19th-century sensibilities.