Hymns of Our Patriot Dead

Dayton Daily Journal - May 27, 1869



Background is a picture of the Home Band
at the National Military Home in Dayton
View the Background Picture

Music is Pleyel's Hymn

[Written by request for the Floral Memorial, May 30, 1869, by the editor of the Soldiers' Friend, New York.]
Opening Hymn
Tune - Pleyel's Hymn
Love unchanging for the dead,
    Lying here in gloried sleep,
Where the angels softly tread,
    While their holy watch they keep.

Wreaths we bring that ne'er shall face,
    Greener with the passing years,
Brighter for our sorrow's shade,
    Jeweled with our falling tears.

Dying that the truth might live,
    Here they rest in freedom's name,
Giving all that man can give--
    Life for Glory's deathless fame.

Bend in love, O azure Sky !
    Shine, O Stars! at evening time !
Watch where heroes calmly lie,
    Clothed with faith and hope sublime.

God of nations, bless the land
    Thou has saved to make us free !
Guide us with Thy mighty hand,
    Till all lands shall come to Thee.

Wm. Oland Bourne.


Closing Hymn
Tune - Old Hundred
Blest are the martyred dead who lie
    In holy graves for Freedom won,
Whose storied deeds shall never die,
    While coming years their circles run.

Blest be the ground where heroes sleep,
    And blest the flag that o'er them waves,
Its radiant stars their watch shall keep,
    And brightly beam on hallowed graves.

While Freedom lives, their fame shall live
    In glory on her blazing scroll,
And Love her sacrifice shall give,
    While anthems round the altar roll.

Year after year our hands shall bear
    Immortal flowers in vernal bloom,
Till God shall call us home to share
    Immortal life beyond the tomb.

Our Father, all the praise be thine !
    Thy grace and goodness we adore;
Bless our dear land with love devine,
    And shed thy peace from shore to shore !

Wm. Oland Bourne.