Firstpublished:1897 in Hymn Tunes, no. 160, p. 95 Description:
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Original text and translations
English text
1 We come unto our fathers' God:
Their Rock is our Salvation:
The eternal arms, their dear abode,
We make our habitation:
We bring Thee, Lord, the praise they brought,
We seek Thee as Thy saints have sought
In every generation.
2 The fire divine, their steps that led,
Still goeth bright before us;
The heavenly shield, around them spread,
Is still high holden o'er us;
The grace those sinners that subdued,
The strength those weaklings that renewed,
Doth vanquish, doth restore us.
3 The cleaving sins that brought them low
Are still our souls oppressing;
The tears that from their eyes did flow
Fall fast, our shame confessing;
As with Thee, Lord, prevailed their cry,
So our strong prayer ascends on high,
And bringeth down Thy blessing.
4 Their joy unto their Lord we bring;
Their song to us descendeth;
The Spirit who in them did sing
To us His music lendeth.
His song in them, in us, is one;
We raise it high, we send it on
The song that never endeth!
5 Ye saints of God, take up the strain
The same sweet theme endeavour!
Unbroken be the golden chain!
Ring out the song for ever!
Safe in the same dear dwelling-place,
Rich with the same eternal grace,
Bless the same boundless Giver!
English text