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O GOD OF EARTH AND ALTAR 

HYMN 

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I

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 sword of scorn divide,

Take not thy thunder from us,

But take away our pride. 

II

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! 

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(Gilbert Keith Chesterton 1907)

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