Hat tip to Dale Rye over on T19 for a great hymn reminder. I’m *lovin’* the original stanza 2…
Faith of our fathers, living still,
In spite of dungeon, fire and sword;
O how our hearts beat high with joy
Whenever we hear that glorious Word!
Refrain
Faith of our fathers, holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death.
Faith of our fathers, Mary’s prayers
Shall win our country back to Thee;
And through the truth that comes from God,
England shall then indeed be free.
Refrain
Faith of our fathers, we will love
Both friend and foe in all our strife;
And preach Thee, too, as love knows how
By kindly words and virtuous life.
Refrain
A nice reminder–especially for our evangelical friends… :-D
I was a bit surprised to learn the origin … I remember quite clearly singing it from the Meffodist hymnbook as a Sunday school sprog. Minus that verse two, of course.
Yeah, you won’t find that vs. two in any Wesleyan hymnal… Here’s the “sanitized” version:
Faith of our fathers, we will strive
To win all nations unto Thee;
And through the truth that comes from God,
We all shall then be truly free.