O God of earth and altar,
Come down and hear our cry,
Our earthly rulers falter,
Our people drift and die,
The walls of gold entomb us,
The sword of scorn divides,
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 honor 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 an ire an exultation
Aflame with faith and free,
Lift up a living nation,
A single sword to thee.
—- G.K. Chesterton
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