Once To Every Man and Nation

From the CyBer HyMNal - bet you didn't know us Christians were such hep cats eh? - there is the following (apparently) famous hymn. It was written by James R Lowell in protest against the War of Northern Aggression or US-Mexican War of 1846. See the earlier post on US Military History.

Many Christians of the time were abolitionists (of slavery that is) whereas the Southern states favoured war on Mexico to expand the practice of slavery and their own influence within the Union of states.

Now, even the heppest CyberHymnal would be nothing without a truly groovy embedded midi to listen along to. So click the link, sit back and sing loud and proud...

Once To Every Man and Nation
Once to every man and nation, comes the moment to decide,
In the strife of truth with falsehood, for the good or evil side;
Some great cause, some great decision, offering each the bloom or blight,
And the choice goes by forever, ’twixt that darkness and that light.

Then to side with truth is noble, when we share her wretched crust,
Ere her cause bring fame and profit, and ’tis prosperous to be just;
Then it is the brave man chooses while the coward stands aside,
Till the multitude make virtue of the faith they had denied.

By the light of burning martyrs, Christ, Thy bleeding feet we track,
Toiling up new Calv’ries ever with the cross that turns not back;
New occasions teach new duties, time makes ancient good uncouth,
They must upward still and onward, who would keep abreast of truth.

Though the cause of evil prosper, yet the truth alone is strong;
Though her portion be the scaffold, and upon the throne be wrong;
Yet that scaffold sways the future, and behind the dim unknown,
Standeth God within the shadow, keeping watch above His own.

Related Link