God of Our Fathers, Known of Old

The king reflected and said, 'Is this not Babylon the great, which I myself have built as a royal residence by the might of my power and for the glory of my majesty?'  While the word was in the king's mouth, a voice came from heaven, saying 'King Nebuchadnezzar, to you it is declared: sovereignty has been removed from you, and you will be driven away from mankind, and your dwelling place will be with the beasts of the field. You will be given grass to eat like cattle, and seven periods of time will pass over you until you recognize that the Most High is ruler over the realm of mankind and bestows it on whomever He wishes.'  Daniel 4:30-32

God of Our Fathers, Known of Old

Rudyard Kipling, poem (1865-1936)

God of our Fathers, known of old,
Lord of our far-flung battle-line,
beneath whose awful hand we hold
dominion over palm and pine;
Lord God of hosts, be with us yet,
lest we forget--lest we forget!

The tumult and the shouting dies;
the captains and the kings depart;
still stands Thine ancient sacrifice,
an humble and a contrite heart.

Lord God of hosts, be with us yet,

lest we forget--lest we forget!

Far-called, our navies melt away;

on dune and headland sinks the fire:

lo, all our pomp of yesterday

is one with Nineveh and Tyre!

Judge of the nations, spare us yet,

lest we forget--lest we forget!

If, drunk with sight of power, we loose

wild tongues that have not Thee in awe,

such boastings as the Gentiles use,

or lesser breeds without the law--

Lord God of hosts, be with us yet,

lest we forget--lest we forget!

For heathen heart that puts her trust

in reeking tube and iron shard,

all valiant dust that builds on dust,

and, guarding, calls not Thee to guard,

for frantic boast and foolish word--

Thy mercy on Thy people, Lord!

.....

Rudyard Kipling is not known as a hymnwriter.  He became famous for his poetry and for books like Barrack-Room Ballads and The Jungle Book in the 1890s.  In 1897, when England was celebrating the Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria's reign, the Times of London asked Rudyard Kipling to write a special poem for the occasion.

The poem created quite a stir.  Instead of praising his country's military strength, Kipling sounded almost like an Old Testament prophet calling for mercy from a just and righteous God.

It seemed uncharacteristic for Kipling, who was associated with British colonialism, to write, "All our pomp of yesterday is one with Nineveh and Tyre!"  Kipling's hymn serves as a powerful sermon to all who are tempted to elevate the glory and power of their nation above that of the sovereign Creator.

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The Music:

There seem to be a few tunes that are with these words.

"God of our fathers, known of old" @ St. John's Detroit - YouTube  (oh the organ! #goosebumps)

God of Our Fathers, Known of Old (St Catherine) - YouTube

God Of Our Fathers Known Of Old - Hymn Lyrics & Music - YouTube

Nerdy Stuff:

Rudyard Kipling | Hymnary.org

Rudyard Kipling Manuscript Signed of his Poem, Recessional| The Raab Collection

Diamond Jubilee of Queen Victoria - Wikipedia

Queen Victoria’s Diamond Jubilee – The official website of The Queen's Diamond Jubilee (thediamondjubilee.org)