The Lord our God be with us, as He was with our fathers: let Him not leave us, nor forsake us: That He may incline our hearts unto Him, to walk in all His ways, and to keep His commandments, and His statutes, and His judgments, which He commanded our fathers.
1 Kings 8:57–58
Words: Warren R. Fitch, 1906.
Music: Charles H. Gabriel (🔊 pdf nwc). Note: Due to the complexity of the music, this piece may be better suited for a choir, rather than congregational singing.
If you know where to get a good photo of Fitch (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
God of all might, our fathers’ God,
This land we love belongs to Thee,
From shores the pilgrims’ feet first trod,
Far westward stretching to the sea;
Lest in our vanity and pride
We cease to do Thy righteous will,
And from the right now turn aside,
Refrain
Be with us still! Be with us still!
God of all might be with us still!
In freedom’s cause our fathers fought
And crossed the wild and stormy deep;
The priceless boon which here they bought,
May we, their children, ever keep;
That as a nation strong we may
Our highest destiny fulfill,
Nor foolishly go far astray.
Refrain
By greed of power or lust of gain
May we be tempted nevermore!
Forbid, O Lord, that we should stain
Fair freedom’s flag with human gore
For sake of conquest; rather, let
Christ’s tender love our bosoms fill;
Lest in our folly we forget,
Refrain
If for an empire we will seek
Still other lands beyond the sea,
We’ll wait, O Lord, till Thou dost speak,
For Thou wouldst have all people free;
O let us not, in freedom’s name,
Go forth to pillage, burn and kill;
Lest for such deeds we blush with shame.
Refrain