My poem of the week this week is William How\u2019s magnificent hymn, \u201cFor All the Saints.\u201d Sung to Ralph Vaughan Williams majestic tune, \u201cSine Nomine\u201d- particularly with a good pipe organ- this is one of my favorites- a grand tune reminding us of the great cloud of witnesses about us. I rarely can get through the last verse without choking up. Following the preceding verses it is a powerful reminder to me that I am a part of a great host from across time who have found God faithful.<\/p>\n
I have never heard all the verses sung, but they are all worth reading.<\/p>\n
For all the saints, who from their labors rest,
\nWho Thee by faith before the world confessed,
\nThy Name, O Jesus, be forever blessed.
\nAlleluia, Alleluia!<\/p>\nThou wast their Rock, their Fortress and their Might;
\nThou, Lord, their Captain in the well fought fight;
\nThou, in the darkness drear, their one true Light.
\nAlleluia, Alleluia!<\/p>\nFor the Apostles\u2019 glorious company,
\nWho bearing forth the Cross o\u2019er land and sea,
\nShook all the mighty world, we sing to Thee:
\nAlleluia, Alleluia!<\/p>\nFor the Evangelists, by whose blest word,
\nLike fourfold streams, the garden of the Lord,
\nIs fair and fruitful, be Thy Name adored.
\nAlleluia, Alleluia!<\/p>\nFor Martyrs, who with rapture kindled eye,
\nSaw the bright crown descending from the sky,
\nAnd seeing, grasped it, Thee we glorify.
\nAlleluia, Alleluia!<\/p>\nO blest communion, fellowship divine!
\nWe feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
\nAll are one in Thee, for all are Thine.
\nAlleluia, Alleluia!<\/p>\nO may Thy soldiers, faithful, true and bold,
\nFight as the saints who nobly fought of old,
\nAnd win with them the victor\u2019s crown of gold.
\nAlleluia, Alleluia!<\/p>\nAnd when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,
\nSteals on the ear the distant triumph song,
\nAnd hearts are brave, again, and arms are strong.
\nAlleluia, Alleluia!<\/p>\nThe golden evening brightens in the west;
\nSoon, soon to faithful warriors comes their rest;
\nSweet is the calm of paradise the blessed.
\nAlleluia, Alleluia!<\/p>\nBut lo! there breaks a yet more glorious day;
\nThe saints triumphant rise in bright array;
\nThe King of glory passes on His way.
\nAlleluia, Alleluia!<\/p>\nFrom earth\u2019s wide bounds, from ocean\u2019s farthest coast,
\nThrough gates of pearl streams in the countless host,
\nAnd singing to Father, Son and Holy Ghost:
\nAlleluia, Alleluia!<\/p>\n