Help of Christians Guard this Land

This is an Australian hymn of petition to Mary Help of Christians.

The words were written by Australian Roman Catholic academic, poet, journalist, literary critic and hymn writer James McAuley (1917-1976).

The hymn was included on an EP (an 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)
• Year of Grace Hymns, 1963 by James McAuley and Richard Connelly  - still in print, link below.

It is and set the tune CAMILA, by Australian Roman Catholic composer Richard Connolly (1927-2022).   This has a 4/4 time signature.  The first few notes are D C DA G E D.

Downloads

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Buy sheet music from Willow online

Examples

Congregation with electronic organ accompaniment

Choir, professional recording:

Choir with organ and chamber-orchestra, 1960s recording

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 ...

See more ...

• Hymns about Mary
• Australian hymns

KEEP IN CASE ORIGINAL IS REMOVED, BUT DO NOT DISPLAY 1. Help of Christians, guard this land.
From assault or inward stain;
Let it be what Christ has planned,
His new Eden where you reign.
2.Teach us that in Christ your Son
Lies the wisdom to be free;
For the Cross, which we would shun, Is man's Tree of Liberty.

3. Should the powers of hell arise,
And our peace be trampled down,
In that night of blood and lies
Show us still your twelve-starred crown.

4. Take from us the coward heart,
Fleeting will, divided mind,
Give us sight to play our part,
Though the world around is blind.

5. Image, of the risen life
Shining in eternity
Glimmer through our earthly strife,
Draw us to your victory.