When Thy Soldiers Take Their Swords

When Thy sol­diers take their swords

When they speak the so­lemn words

When they kneel be­fore Thee here

Feeling Thee

their Fa­ther

near;

These Thy child­ren

Lord

de­fend;

To their help Thy Spir­it send.

When the world’s sharp strife is nigh

When they hear the bat­tle cry

When they rush in­to the fight

Knowing not temp­ta­tion’s might;

These Thy child­ren

Lord

de­fend;

To their zeal Thy wis­dom lend.

When their hearts are lift­ed high

With suc­cess or vic­to­ry

When they feel the con­que­ror’s pride;

Lest they grow self sa­tis­fied

These Thy child­ren

Lord

de­fend;

Teach their souls to Thee to bend.

When the vows that they have made

When the pray­ers that they have prayed

Shall be fad­ing from their hearts;

When their first warm faith de­parts;

These Thy child­ren

Lord

defend;

Keep them faith­ful to the end.

Through life’s con­flicts guard us all

Or if wound­ed some should fall

Ere the vic­to­ry be won

For the sake of Christ

Thy Son

These Thy child­ren

Lord

de­fend;

And in death Thy com­fort bend.