O Valiant Hearts
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"O Valiant Hearts" is a hymn remembering the fallen of the First World War. The music was composed by C. Harris. Words were by Sir John S. Arkwright (1872 - 1954).
The hymn is traditionally used on Remembrance Day in England and Canada[1]. Its usage goes back to the time between the wars[2].It has also been traditionally sung in Australia for Anzac Day[3], but its usage in church there may be in decline. It was performed in front of Queen Elizabeth II and Tony Blair during the unveiling of the Australia War Memorial at Hyde Park Corner in London on Remembrance Day in 2003[4]. During World War II it was sung by children in school assemblies when news of former pupils being killed in action were announced.[5]
[edit] Lyrics
O valiant hearts who to your glory came
Through dust of conflict and through battle flame;
Tranquil you lie, your knightly virtue proved,
Your memory hallowed in the land you loved.
Proudly you gathered, rank on rank, to war
As who had heard God’s message from afar;
All you had hoped for, all you had, you gave,
To save mankind—yourselves you scorned to save.
Splendid you passed, the great surrender made;
Into the light that nevermore shall fade;
Deep your contentment in that blest abode,
Who wait the last clear trumpet call of God.
Long years ago, as earth lay dark and still,
Rose a loud cry upon a lonely hill,
While in the frailty of our human clay,
Christ, our Redeemer, passed the self same way.
Still stands His Cross from that dread hour to this,
Like some bright star above the dark abyss;
Still, through the veil, the Victor’s pitying eyes
Look down to bless our lesser Calvaries.
These were His servants, in His steps they trod,
Following through death the martyred Son of God:
Victor, He rose; victorious too shall rise
They who have drunk His cup of sacrifice.
O risen Lord, O Shepherd of our dead,
Whose cross has bought them and Whose staff has led,
In glorious hope their proud and sorrowing land
Commits her children to Thy gracious hand.
