Help of Christians Guard this Land

This Australian hymn of petition to Mary Help of Christians was written by academic, poet, journalist, literary critic and hymn writer James McAuley (1917-1976).

It is and set to a tune by composer Richard Connolly (b 1927).   The tune, named CAMILA, has a 4/4 time signature.  The first few notes are D C DA G E D.

The hymn was included on an EP   (early type of record) released in 1962 as part of the Living Parish series (ref).

Hymn-books that it has been published in include:

• We offer the Mass : Hymns for Low Mass - 1959
• The Living Parish Hymnal ( Australia - No. 103)
• The Catholic Worship Book (Australia)
• As One Voice - Year of Grace Music Book.

The last of these is currently in-print.   Sheet music is also available as a digital-download.   A sample of the sheet music can be viewed here.

Examples

Congregation with electronic organ accompaniment:

Lyrics

The lyrics are copyright so cannot be reproduced here. But they are currently available on this website (final page).  A rough outline is:

1  Help of Christians, guard this land ...

2  Teach us that in Christ your Son ...

3  Should the powers of hell arise ...

4  Take from us the coward heart ...

5  Image, of the risen life ...