Out of all the reek and turmoil
Of the dreadful battle-plain,
Came a voice insistent, calling,
Calling, calling, but in vain;--
"Through Me only
Shall the world have peace again."
But our hearts were too sore-burdened,
Fighting foes and fighting pain,
And we heeded not the clear voice,
Calling, calling all in vain;--
"Through Me only
Shall the world have peace again."
Now, at last, the warfare ended,
Dead the passion, loosed the strain,
Louder still that voice is calling;
Shall it call and call in vain?
"Through Me only
Shall the world have peace again."
Now we hear it; now we hearken,
In the silence of our slain,
Broken hearts new homes would build them
Of the fragments that remain.
"Through Me only
Shall the world have peace again."
Lord, we know it by our sorrows,
Might of man can ne'er attain
That Thou givest. Now we offer
Thee the Kingship. Come and reign!
Through Thee only
Shall our loss be turned to gain.
Show us, Lord, all Thou would'st have us
Do to garner all Thy grain.
Thy deep ploughing, Thy sure sowing
Richest harvest shall obtain.
Only come Thou,
Come and dwell with us again!
TUNE--Abbeycombe.