Explore "A Hymn" by G.K. Chesterton on Textopian. Read with annotations and highlights.
O God of earth and altar, / Bow down and hear our cry / Our earthly rulers falter, / Our people drift and die; / The walls of gold entomb us, / The swords of scorn divide, / Take not thy thunder from us, / But take away our pride.
From all that terror teaches, / From lies of tongue and pen, / From all the easy speeches / That comfort cruel men, / From sale and profanation / Of honour and the sword, / From sleep and from damnation, / Deliver us, good Lord!
Tie in a living tether / The prince and priest and thrall, / Bind all our lives together, / Smite us and save us all; / In ire and exultation / Aflame with faith, and free, / Lift up a living nation, / A single sword to thee.