Sunday, January 22, 2017

Poetry, Innit




Thanks, LL.

Recessional - Rudyard Kipling


God of our fathers, known of old, 
Lord of our far-flung battle-line, 
Beneath whose awful Hand we hold 
Dominion over palm and pine— 
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet, 
Lest we forget—lest we forget! 


The tumult and the shouting dies; 
The Captains and the Kings depart: 
Still stands Thine ancient sacrifice, 
An humble and a contrite heart. 
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet, 
Lest we forget—lest we forget! 


Far-called, our navies melt away; 
On dune and headland sinks the fire: 
Lo, all our pomp of yesterday 
Is one with Nineveh and Tyre! 
Judge of the Nations, spare us yet, 
Lest we forget—lest we forget! 


If, drunk with sight of power, we loose 
Wild tongues that have not Thee in awe, 
Such boastings as the Gentiles use, 
Or lesser breeds without the Law— 
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet, 
Lest we forget—lest we forget! 


For heathen heart that puts her trust 
In reeking tube and iron shard, 
All valiant dust that builds on dust, 
And guarding, calls not Thee to guard, 
For frantic boast and foolish word— 
Thy mercy on Thy People, Lord! 


As you reflect on Recessional, ponder this. Churchill's bust is back in the Oval Office. Glory has returned to Israel.

Your Old Pal,

LSP

9 comments:

  1. The new US Embassy will be built in Jerusalem.

    Arabs are not amused.

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  2. Mercy, like bread, is our daily need. Amen.

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  3. So true, Grunt. Da nobis hodie.

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  4. The late great Peter Bellamy set it to music.

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y8JOEmtlgaE


    ReplyDelete
  5. Ah hah! Peter Bellamy. Thx Anonymous.

    ReplyDelete