Hymn of the Week: ‘God of Our Fathers, Whose Almighty Hand’

It was a joy to hear this thrilling old hymn today at Mass as the recessional. Words by Daniel C. Roberts; music by George W. Warren. A great and rousing anthem for the Independence Day weekend.

Too bad we didn’t have the full choir (they’re off for the summer) and trumpets!

1. God of our fathers, whose almighty hand
   Leads forth in beauty all the starry band
   Of shining worlds in splendor through the skies,
   Our grateful songs before thy throne arise.
2.  Thy love divine hath led us in the past;
   In this free land by thee our lot is cast.
   Be thou our Ruler, Guardian, Guide, and Stay,
   Thy word our law, thy paths our chosen way.
3.  From war’s alarms, from deadly pestilence,
   Be thy strong arm our ever-sure defense.
   Thy true religion in our hearts increase.
   Thy bounteous goodness nourish us in peace.