Be strong in the Lord and in His mighty power.
Ephesians 6:10
Words: Frances R. Havergal, Loyal Responses; or, Daily Melodies for the King’s Minstrels (London: James Nisbet, 1878), pages 24–27. In the original, the refrain below was the last stanza.
Music: Blagnac George C. Stebbins, 1878 (🔊 pdf nwc).
Truehearted, wholehearted,
Faithful and loyal,
King of our lives,
By Thy grace we will be!
Under Thy standard,
Exalted and royal,
Strong in Thy strength
We will battle for Thee.
Refrain
Peal out the watchword!
Silence it never!
Song of our spirits,
Rejoicing and free!
Truehearted, wholehearted,
Now and forever,
King of our lives,
By Thy grace we will be!
Truehearted, wholehearted!
Fullest allegiance
Yielding henceforth
To our glorious king;
Valiant endeavor
And loving obedience
Freely and joyously
Now would we bring.
Refrain
Truehearted! Savior,
Thou knowest our story,
Weak are the hearts
That we lay at Thy feet,
Sinful and treacherous!
Yet, for Thy glory,
Heal them, and cleanse them
From sin and deceit.
Refrain
Wholehearted! Savior
Belovèd and glorious,
Take Thy great power
And reign Thou alone,
Over our wills
And affections victorious—
Freely surrendered
And wholly Thine own.
Refrain
Half-hearted, false-hearted!
Heed we the warning!
Only the whole
Can be perfectly true;
Bring the whole offering,
All timid thought scorning,
Truehearted only
If wholehearted too.
Refrain
Half-hearted! Savior,
Shall aught be withholden,
Giving Thee part
Who hast given us all?
Blessings outpouring,
And promises golden
Pledging, with never
Reserve or recall.
Refrain
Half-hearted? Master,
Shall any who know Thee
Grudge Thee their lives,
Who has laid down Thine own?
Nay; we would offer
The hearts that we owe Thee—
Live for Thy love
And Thy glory alone.
Refrain
Sisters, dear sisters,
The call is resounding,
Will ye not echo
The silver refrain,
Mighty and sweet, and
In gladness abounding—
Truehearted, wholehearted!
Ringing again.
Refrain
Jesus is with us,
His rest is before us,
Brightly His standard
Is waving above,
Brothers, dear brothers,
In gathering chorus,
Peal out the watchword
Of courage and love!
Refrain