Faith of Our Fathers (hymn)
Faith of our Fathers is an English Catholic hymn, written in 1849[1] by Frederick William Faber in memory of the Catholic martyrs from the time of the establishment of the Church of England by Henry VIII.[2] Faber wrote two versions of the hymn: with seven stanzas for Ireland and with four for England.[3] The Irish version was sung at hurling matches until the 1960s.[4]
In England and Ireland it is usually sung to the traditional tune Sawston; in the U.S. the tune St Catherine by Henri Hemy is more commonly used.
Lyrics
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.
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!
Faith of our Fathers! Holy Faith!
We will be true to thee till death.
Faith of our Fathers! Mary's prayers
- Shall win our country back to thee:
And through the truth that comes from God
- England shall then indeed be free.
Faith of our Fathers! Holy Faith!
We will be true to thee till death.
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.[5]
References
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- ↑ Terry, Richard. "The Westminster Hymnal". 1912, p. 196.
Further reading
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