It was the official hymn of the Holy Name Society in Australia and New Zealand (ref) and it is likely that the 3rd verse, which refers to the Southern Cross (a well known star constellation in the southern hemisphere), was written for this purpose. It has been used as a school song in various places around the world, sometimes with an alternative, less militaristic, chorus.
With irregular meter, the hymn is set to the tune, NOI VOGLIAM DIO, a traditional Italian folk melody, which was originally used with with Marian lyrics.
The Lord supreme and God of all;
Against his foes we raise his standard;
Around the cross we hear his call.
Chorus
Strengthen our faith, Redeemer;
Guard us when danger is nigh;
To thee we pledge our lives and service,
For God we live , for God we’ll die:
To thee we pledge our lives and service,
For God we live, for God we die.
We stand for God! Jesus our master
Has died for us with love untold;
His law divine and truth unchanging
In this our land their place must hold.
We stand for God! in ages olden
He placed “the Cross” our stars beside;
O may our land, gracious and golden,
Be faithful to the Crucified.
Guard us when danger is nigh;
To thee we pledge our lives and service,
Strong in a faith that ne'er shall die,
To thee we pledge our lives and service,
Strong in a faith that ne'er shall die.
The words were written by:
- Irish Catholic priest and Dominican J.P. O'Daly OP (d May 1940) who worked in Rome (verses 1 and 2 and the chorus) and
- John O'Brien - which is the pen name of Australian Roman Catholic priest and poet, Patrick Joseph Hartigan (1878-1953) (verse 3).
With irregular meter, the hymn is set to the tune, NOI VOGLIAM DIO, a traditional Italian folk melody, which was originally used with with Marian lyrics.
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Examples
Men's choir with brass band
Choir with piano
Singer with marching band backing
Singer, unaccompanied
Choir with guitar and keyboard
Instrumental - electronic organ
Lyrics
We stand for God and for his glory,The Lord supreme and God of all;
Against his foes we raise his standard;
Around the cross we hear his call.
Chorus
Strengthen our faith, Redeemer;
Guard us when danger is nigh;
To thee we pledge our lives and service,
For God we live , for God we’ll die:
To thee we pledge our lives and service,
For God we live, for God we die.
We stand for God! Jesus our master
Has died for us with love untold;
His law divine and truth unchanging
In this our land their place must hold.
We stand for God! in ages olden
He placed “the Cross” our stars beside;
O may our land, gracious and golden,
Be faithful to the Crucified.
Alternative chorus:
Strengthen our faith, Redeemer;Guard us when danger is nigh;
To thee we pledge our lives and service,
Strong in a faith that ne'er shall die,
To thee we pledge our lives and service,
Strong in a faith that ne'er shall die.
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ReplyDeleteThe verses should read:
ReplyDelete"... O may our land, gracious and golden,
Be faithful to the Crucified, Risen Lord, Jesus."
Comment posted by Rhonda A. B. Henry-Ramos
Hi Rhonda, was this version published anywhere? I'm not quite sure how that many words would fit with the tune.
ReplyDeleteHi Rhonda - I've never heard that version, and it makes no sense with the music (or the rhyme scheme). (Unless it were added in the lower voices while the upper ones sustain the last syllable of "Crucified" ... but still, it's definitely not part of the original!
ReplyDeleteOne verse that I have seen in most editions comes after the first verse:
"We stand for God! let us be loyal,
Our love proclaim with every breath;
To Christ the King and Lord of Lords
We will be faithful unto death!" Chorus as above, of course... I admit it's missing a syllable at the end of the third line, so "Lords" has to be extended over two notes, but nonetheless, I've heard it as part of the hymn both in New Zealand and the States, so it must be pretty well known.
Wonderful
ReplyDelete