The Recessional
From " Collected Verse "
by Rudyard Kipling
With the permission of A. P. Watt and Son, London, and Doubleday, Page and Company, New York
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 boasting 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.