GK Chesterton, a hymn for these times

1 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.

2 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!

3 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.

Source: Ancient and Modern: hymns and songs for refreshing worship #582  public domain

Today I came across this hymn by Gordon Keith Chesterton published in 1907, before he became a Catholic (although I don’t think that matters).  It certainly speaks to today’s atmosphere and dilemmas for Christians.“Our earthly rulers falter, our people drift and die.” Isn’t that the truth!  “Tie in a living tether the prince and priest and thrall.”  What a powerful phrase.  Thrall isn’t a word we use much in the 21st century, but it means one in bondage or servitude or who is oppressed.  And doesn’t gold entomb us—striving for material possessions consume us.  Every line speaks to our situation today. Deliver us from lies of tongue and pen, from all the easy speeches . . .

It is sung to various tunes—meter 7.6.7.6 D.  I tried several, and I do like something rousing with a little oomph to go with the strong words.  Lancashire is nice (Lead on O King eternal). In the Methodist 1964 hymnal it is King’s Lynn.