He shall judge among the nations, and shall rebuke many people: and they shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more.
Isaiah 2:4
Words: William P. McKenzie, in Truth in Song (Chicago, Illinois: Clara H. Scott, 1896), number 47.
Music: Dakar Ward Rockwell, 1896 (🔊 pdf nwc).
If you know where to get a good photo of McKenzie or Rockwell (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
Lo, an army is advancing,
Not with beat of throbbing drum,
Not with banners proudly waving
Do the happy myriads come,
But their hearts a-throb with loving,
Eyes with love that shine sincere,
And they sing aloud in anthem
That the rule of peace is here,
Swords are beaten into plough shares,
Into pruning hooks the spear.
Even now the light-spires dazzle
And the note of hope is heard,
Man is learning God’s new language,
Building letters to a word;
And the councils men have darkened
Come like jewels flashing bright
As he trusts the voice within him,
And the Spirit gives him sight;
And the promise nears fulfillment,
That the world shall see the light.
Ye who hold each man a brother,
For the brother love of Christ,
Who with clear eyed purity do
Keep in heart a daily tryst,
Let me grasp the hand fraternal,
One in love and service we,
Now, as in a mirror darkly,
Face to face we yet shall see.
Fellow workers with the Father,
Let us fellow helpers be!