G. K. Chesterton's timeless, timely hymn

Here is a wonderful poem, "O God of Earth and Altar" (1906), by G. K. Chesterton, sometimes also called, "Chesterton's Prayer"; over the years it has apparently appeared in a number of (mostly) Anglican hymnals:

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.

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 ire and exultation
Aflame with faith, and free,
Lift up a living nation,
A single sword to thee. Amen.

For more on Chesterton as a poet, see the essay, "G.K. Chesterton, the Poet", by Denis J. Conlon, the Introduction to Volume X: Collected Poetry (Part III) of G.K. Chesterton: Collected Works.

(I drew the illustration (pencil, with color added in Photoshop) for Envoy magazine back in 2003 for an article by Dale Ahlquist titled, "G. K. Chesterton: Oversized Apologist for an Underfaithed World".)

Comments

[Martin]

Wonderful poem. Thankyou.

Terrific art work too.

[Ed Peters]

I wish I could draw.

[kingsalomon]

Sorry, I'm pretty sure that was written by heavy metal band, Iron Maiden. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=weBEnc9j40E
Chesterton must have stole it from them. ;)

[peter l]

A beautiful poem indeed.