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!
The tumult and the shouting dies —
The Captains and the Kings depart —
Still stands Thine ancient sacrifice,
An humble and a contrite heart.
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget — lest we forget!
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!
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!
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!
Amen.
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Comments
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Wonderful. But notice that, though he knows God wants a humble and contrite heart, he still believes without question that God decreed the existence of the British Empire (dominion over palm and pine) and that the original inhabitants of the conquered lands were 'lesser breeds without the law'.
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Beautiful
Lest we Forget...
I actually own a copy of this Recessional.. My Mother for Christmas every year buys me books..
I have a love for them that started when I was a child digging around in my Grandmother's basement. Since then I have collected 100's. Included in this are seven of his books published in 1899.
This though.. ah.. how it speaks to my heart. -
Lord God of Hosts be with us yet, Lest We Forget- lest we forget. have any words more profound than these ever been written?
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