Brotherhood and Service 501. When wilt thou save the people?
[1926]Kendal:
Arthur Somervell, 1906
Ebenezer Elliot, 1850
When wilt thou save the people?
O God of mercy, when?
Not kings and lords, but nations!
Not thrones and crowns, but men!
Flowers of thy heart, O God, are they;
Let them not pass, like weeds, away,
Their heritage a sunless day.
God save the people!
Shall crime bring crime for ever,
Strength aiding still the strong?
Is it thy will, O Father,
That man shall toil for wrong?
"No," say thy mountains; "No," thy skies;
Man's clouded sun shall brightly rise,
And songs be heard instead of sighs;
God save the people!
When wilt thou save the people?
O God of mercy, when?
The people, Lord, the people,
Not thrones and crowns, but men!
God save the people; thine they are,
Thy children, as thy angels fair;
From vice, oppression, and despair,
God save the people!
Amen.