Not Alone For Mighty Empire

For SAB Choir and Organ

For Geraldine Sarmiento, Organist, Union Church of Lima

A terrific text on what to be thankful for, plus an arrangement of a magnificent melody with dramatic accompaniment.

Text

Not Alone For Mighty Empire
Not alone for mighty empire stretching far o'er land and sea,
Not alone for bounteous harvests do we praise You gratefully.
Standing in the living present, memory and hope between,
Lord, we would with deep thanksgiving praise You most for things unseen.

Not for battleship and fortress, not for conquests of the sword,
But for conquests of the spirit we give thanks to You, 0 Lord;
For the heritage of freedom, for the home, the church, the school,
For the open door to justice in a land the people rule.

For the armies of the faithful, those who passed and left no name;
For the glory that illumines patriot lives of deathless fame;
For our prophets and apostles, loyal to the living Word;
For the strong and free in spirit, we give thanks to You, O Lord.

God of justice, save the people from the clash of race and creed.
From the strife of class and faction make our nation free indeed.
Keep its faith in simple justice strong as when its life began,
Til it find complete fruition by the guiding of Your hand.

Amen.

William P. Merrill (1867 - 1954)