Battle Hymn and Litany/Battle Hymn

From Wikisource
Jump to navigation Jump to search
For works with similar titles, see Battle Hymn.
2460427Battle Hymn and Litany — Battle Hymn1899Edward Quintard

Battle Hymn

THOU God who guardeth o'er the earth
And ruleth o'er the sea,
We freemen of a fearless land
Bend down our knee to Thee.
Grant us the might to face the foe
With valiant heart and then—
Give us the power to smite the blow
And fight the fight like men.

Let not the shriek of bursting shell,
The maddened cry of pain,
Distract our minds, appal our hearts,
Nor let us fight in vain.
Unconquered let our flag be borne
Against the foe and then—
Give us the power to smite the blow
And fight the fight like men.

Though torn and tattered be our flag,
Its stars and colors dim,
God spare the brightness of its fame.
And when the glorious hymn
Of victory swells above our foes,
Let us remember then—
Thou gav'st the power to smite the blow
And fight the fight like men.