Once to every soul and nation

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Song Details

Title: Once to every soul and nation
Text: James Russell Lowell, 1845
Tune: EBENEZER
Music: Thomas John Williams, 1890
Key: E minor
Meter: 87.87.87.87
Date Added: 2021/01/14

Lyrics

Once to ev’ry soul and nation
comes the moment to decide,
in the strife of truth with falsehood,
for the good or evil side;

Then to side with truth is noble,
when we share her wretched crust,
ere her cause bring fame and profit,
and ’tis prosp’rous to be just;

New occasions teach new duties,
time makes ancient good uncouth;
they must upward still and onward
who would keep abreast of truth.

Lo, before us gleam her campfires!
We ourselves must pilgrims be,
nor attempt the future's portal
with the past's bloodrusted key.

Though the cause of evil prosper,
yet ’tis truth alone is strong;
though her portion be the scaffold,
and upon the throne be wrong.

Then it is the brave one chooses,
while the coward stands aside
till the multitude make virtue
of the faith they had denied.

Alternate words

Jesus, tempted in the desert God hath spoken by his prophets Hear the turmoil of the nations O the deep, deep love of Jesus