Faith of our fathers, living still, In spite of dungeon, fire, and sword; Oh, how our hearts beat high with joy Whene’er we hear that glorious Word! Refrain: Faith of our fathers, holy faith! We will be true to thee till death. Our fathers, chained in prisons dark, Were still in heart and conscience free; How sweet would be their children’s fate, If they, like them, could die for thee! (Refrain) Faith of our fathers, we will strive To win all nations unto thee; And through the truth that comes from God, We all shall then be truly free. (Refrain) Faith of our fathers, we will love Both friend and foe in all our strife; And preach thee, too, as love knows how By kindly words and virtuous life. (Refrain)
We sing this great hymn very often at my traditional Catholic parish in Pittsburgh. I must admit that aI was surprised to hear this in a Presbyterian choir.
Looking through the comments, can I say that faith is not a monopoly. It belongs to all of us; whether we be Catholics, Protestants, Hindus, Muslims, et al.
1. Faith of our fathers, living still In spite of dungeon, fire and sword, O how our hearts beat high with joy Whene’er we hear that glorious word! Faith of our fathers! holy faith! We will be true to thee till death! 2. Our fathers, chained in prisons dark, Were still in heart and conscience free; And blest would be their children’s fate, If they, like them should die for thee: Faith of our fathers! holy faith! We will be true to thee till death! 3. Faith of our fathers, we will strive To win all nations unto thee; And through the truth that comes from God Mankind shall then indeed be free. Faith of our fathers! holy faith! We will be true to thee till death! 4. Faith of our fathers, we will love Both friend and foe in all our strife, And preach thee, too, as love knows how By kindly words and virtuous life. Faith of our fathers! holy faith! We will be true to thee till death!
"O for a faith!"...the faith of our fathers that led them through drought, war, disease, and persecution. This is the faith needed today; and we need to "earnestly contend for the faith which was once delivered unto the saints" (Jude 3).
I know this is specifically for Father's Day, but nonetheless, it's hilarious to watch a bunch of Presbyterian women sing a hymn about Catholic patrimony. I was halfway expecting them to change the lyrics to inclusive language. "Faith of our parental units or legal guardians"
I've heard a few comments on the origin of this song. But I'd like to know is it really that important? the words in and of themselves have such a deep meaning, no matter the original intent. I think the fact is that we are living in an age of "microwave religion": little faith, little patience. The faith of today could stand emulating the faith of "our" fathers, whoever they may be.
Anglican is my uncle Henry's church. A copy of the kirk of rome but with himself as headman. His sister's progeny wedded into the House of Guise, . who were descended from five popes; . and they were descended also from Henry of Navarre, who was descended from Mohammed (who was a redhead); . and their progeny wedded into the family of William Bradford and all of his company, who were the prototypes of True Americans, and thence am I. . Other notable forebears of the House of Guise were Rodrigo Diaz (El Cid Campeador, foe of Mohammed's boys), Harald Fairhair, Julius Caesar, Cleopatra IX (who was a redhead), the Emperor of Persia, King David of Israel ("ruddy"), and Ragnar Lothbrok. . I myself am very very ruddy, though my hairs turned from blond to dark brown to white mixed with dark brown, because my Dad was Black Dutch. He was ruddy, though, which is to his credit.
