"God of our fathers, whose almighty hand", St. Bartholomew's Church

#718 from The Hymnal 1982: Processional hymn for the Third Sunday after Pentecost at St. Bartholomew's, an Episcopal church in New York City on July 3, 2011.
Words: Daniel Crane Roberts, 19th century
Tune: 'National Hymn', by George William Warren, 19th century
July 4th is Independence Day in the United States. As such, the hymns today include a tempered kind of patriotism, asking God to watch over the land.

[@richardbutterfield3376]

If humans on earth can write such beautiful tunes for the worship of God, just imagine what we will sing in heaven.

[@MD-md4th]

When I was a kid in the 70s, our suburban NJ church had an outstanding organist named Peter Basch who frequently played this for the closing procession. Its noble, lofty melody and glorious fanfares have never left my memory.

[@dodgecharger4404]

May the great hymns such as this one continue to be heard, sung, accompany the worship, in this church and across America. May they never cease!

[@claireforestgreenorgangeek7144]

dodgecharger4404 this hymn was the first one I heard fanfare in. (I had never heard fanfare in a hymn before.) I first heard this hymn on July 4, 1988, played by my first-ever favorite organist, the late Fran McDaniel (1942-1994). I fell in love with the organ in February 1988.

[@dunkirchen1940]

What an impressive hymn. So much power! Such songs truly bring us closer to our Father.

[@lenmccabe4693]

I wish our country believed in this! A few do, but God Have Mercy! How we have fallen! God of Our Fathers! Now and Forever! AMEN!

[@oldhardmanjohnson6585]

The country does....the devil worshippers own the media.....don't be a devil worshipper.

[@Colonel.G]

I was reading the hymn "God of our Fathers," a prayer for our nation. I find its words and found these decisions far more vital than the ones most of the USA is worried about. These are the proper responses to God's blessings in these two verses. You might also note how far we have strayed from this prayer: 2. Thy Love divine hath led us in the past. In this free land by thee our lot is cast. Be thou our ruler, guardian, guide, and stay. Thy Word Our Law, thy Paths our chosen ways. 3. From wars alarms, from deadly pestilence, Be thy Strong arm our ever sure defense; Thy true religion in our hearts increase, Thy Bounteous goodness, nourish us in peace.

[@pravoslavn]

OUTSTANDING ! How good it is to hear the "opening verses" again !

[@duaneheckman3171]

God of our fathers, whose almighty hand Leads forth in beauty all the starry band Of shining worlds in splendor through the skies, Our grateful songs before Thy throne arise. Thy love divine hath led us in the past, In this free land by Thee our lot is cast; Be Thou our ruler, guardian, guide and stay, Thy Word our law, Thy paths our chosen way. From war’s alarms, from deadly pestilence, Be Thy strong arm our ever sure defense; Thy true religion in our hearts increase, Thy bounteous goodness nourish us in peace. Refresh Thy people on their toilsome way, Lead us from night to never-ending day; Fill all our lives with love and grace divine, And glory, laud, and praise be ever Thine.

[@camwalker9666]

God of our fathers, whose almighty hand leads forth in beauty all the starry band of shining worlds in splendor through the skies, our grateful songs before thy throne arise. Thy love divine hath led us in the past, in this free land by thee our lot is cast; be thou our ruler, guardian, guide, and stay, thy word our law, thy paths our chosen way. From war's alarms, from deadly pestilence, be thy strong arm our ever sure defense; thy true religion in our hearts increase, thy bounteous goodness nourish us in peace. Refresh thy people on their toilsome way, lead us from night to never-ending day; fill all our lives with love and grace divine, and glory, laud, and praise be ever thine.

[@davidallbaugh6858]

This was FDR's favorite hymn. It was written for America's 100th yr anniversary in 1876, just after the bloody American Civil War.

[@ideniseb]

Played as well as I've ever heard it. Nice song with great words and sung with conviction!

[@JoeNYCBoi]

I'm glad you've enjoyed the videos. I love the sense of reverence with which this hymn is played. It's patriotic but with a sense of thanksgiving for the goodness of this land - or whatever land this may be sung in.

[@audinos4827]

This is the American national hymn, and it ought to be the national anthem as well.

[@claireforestgreenorgangeek7144]

Audinos oooh, what an extraordinary idea. I love the Star Spangled Banner but it's hard to sing, especially for amateurs like me. This is easy to sing! And I love the fanfare; the fanfare is what attracted me to this hymn when I first heard the late Fran McDaniel play it on the organ on July 4, 1988.

[@claireforestgreenorgangeek7144]

Audinos 🇺🇸👍🇺🇸👍🇺🇸👍🇺🇸👍🇺🇸👍🇺🇸👍

[@claireforestgreenorgangeek7144]

Paul Stauffacher I am so glad when someone agrees with me. A zillion thanks!

[@joshuamungumba6883]

a good hymnals

[@oldhardmanjohnson6585]

I can't wait for the atheists to spontaneously combust.

[@JoeNYCBoi]

I've been going to this church for almost three years now, and I hadn't heard this hymn till today. It truly is 'majestic', and I'm glad you enjoyed it.

[@claireforestgreenorgangeek7144]

Joseph Soltero it's the first hymn I heard fanfare in. I first heard it on July 4, 1988, played by my first-ever favorite organist, the late Fran McDaniel (1942-1994)

[@claireforestgreenorgangeek7882]

Me again. I change my account every time I forget my password. But it bears repeating that I love this as much as I love the Star Spangled Banner. And I still affectionately refer to it as "The Hymn With Fanfare". I hope they sing it at All Saints Episcopal Church (that's where I attend) this weekend. The services have been virtual but I enjoy them anyway. This tune is in my top ten favorite hymn tunes. 1) Forest Green 2) Dix 3) Abbot's Leigh 4) Bereden Vag For Herren 5) God of Our Fathers 6) Kingsfold 7) Ratisbon 8) Lasst Uns Erfreuen 9) King's Weston 10) Laudate Nomen Domini Forest Green, Dix, God of Our Fathers, and Lasst Uns Erfreuen have been on my top ten favorite hymn tune list for eons, ever since I first heard them, and the others have been on my top ten favorite hymn tune list since six years ago, (when I transferred to All Saints Episcopal Church). The previous parish I attended was nice but I prefer All Saints.

[@xxSaharaRainxx]

I love our country!!

[@mariannekwiatkowski3047]

That is one amazing organ! This song makes me wish I could play...

[@claireforestgreenorgangeek7144]

Marianne Kwiatkowski I wish I was a professional organist. I started with piano and then when I fell in love with the organ (in February 1988, after my auditory sensitivity diminished enough for me to enjoy the organ), I switched from piano to organ and never looked back. I love the organ so much I named all organs Forrester, after FOREST GREEN by Rafe Vaughan Williams, which is the best melody ever composed. I first heard Forest Green in Advent 1988, used in the Canticle of Zacharias. *Forest Green was always one of my favorite hymn tunes* but I promoted it from *in the Top Ten to #1 in 2012* when I converted from Catholic to Episcopalian, after the consecration of the first female bishop in the local Episcopal Diocese. If professional organists were allowed to be picky about the repertoire, I would definitely be a professional organist. I don't like very many modern compositions, in fact I like fewer than ten modern compositions. That's why I remain an *enthusiastic amateur organist* and didn't become a professional organist. But I did upload some "organic" videos on KZbin. Please subscribe to my channel. Thank you.

[@kariebeez]

Most beautiful cathedral. As a Presbyterian, I've served as the beadle and was honored to participate in our lovely processional. This was one of my favorite hymns as a kid but only recently have I perceived the nationalism juxtaposed with faith. It's my belief (and maybe mine only) that nationalism has very little, if anything to do with faith.

[@KTWebDesign]

I am really enjoying these wonderful videos, Joe. Thank you very much. The sense of worship is magnificent.

[@19ld]

One of my favorites to play on the organ! Beautiful!

[@claireforestgreenorgangeek7144]

ld1981 I fell in love with the organ in February 1988, when my auditory sensitivity diminished enough for me to enjoy the organ. I'm picky about the repertoire, though, so I remain an *enthusiastic amateur* organist instead of becoming a *PROFESSIONAL organist* (I don't really like modern music; I like fewer than ten modern compositions, including Trafka's Kyrie, which is beautiful.) My list of favorite *traditional* compositions, however, is long enough to fill a scroll of parchment. *My most favorite melody is the hymn tune FOREST GREEN by Rafe Vaughan Williams. It's the best melody ever composed*

[@barbarahaughton764]

Beautiful hymn. Stirs my soul so much.

[@basicaa]

It is absolutely to keep in constant touch with what is going on in your own life's story and to pay close attention to what is going on in the stories of others' lives. If God is present anywhere, it is in those stories that God is present. If God is not present in those stories, then they are scarcely worth telling

[@hbthomson]

This was the processional every year for Opening Exercises at St. John's School in Houston. Brings back fond memories of the excitement of the new school year.

[@claireforestgreenorgangeek7144]

hbthomson it's the first hymn I ever heard fanfare in, and I remember when I first heard it. On July 4, 1988, five months after I fell in love with the organ. It was played by my first-ever favorite organist, the late Fran McDaniel (1942-1994). I fell in love with the organ in February 1988, when my auditory sensitivity diminished enough for me to enjoy the organ.

[@Danielle-hk9ln]

Just Glorious!! It should be mandatory for all students to learn and sing our national hymn.

[@188basstrom]

Doesn't that fly in the face of the separation of church and state?

[@claireforestgreenorgangeek7144]

188basstrom it's easier to sing than the Star Spangled Banner. They are both glorious melodies, but the wide range in the Star Spangled Banner is daunting for amateur singers like me. (I don't have asthma, but songs with a wide range make me short of breath.)

[@claireforestgreenorgangeek7144]

Danielle it's definitely easier to sing than the Star Spangled Banner even though they are both very beautiful melodies. I get short of breath when I sing The Star Spangled Banner (even though I don't have asthma, the wide range is daunting).

[@balboahigh1999]

Love St. Barts! Just beautiful.

[@claireforestgreenorgangeek7144]

balboahigh1999 I agree. By the way, I am an enthusiastic amateur organist (I fell in love with the organ in February 1988) and if I wasn't picky about the repertoire, I would have become a professional organist. But there is very little modern music I like (Trafka's Kyrie is among the small number of modern compositions I like), and if being a professional organist means I have to equally enjoy ALL sacred music, not just the ones that are traditional (or the few modern ones where I like the melodic contours), then I will have to remain an enthusiastic amateur. I do contribute a hymn and anthem, one of each, on special occasions. Something of my choosing, though. My most favorite melody is the hymn tune FOREST GREEN by Rafe Vaughan Williams. It's the best melody ever composed. Next on the list are Kingsfold, Dix, Lasst Uns Erfreuen, Down Ampney, Blessed Be That Maid Mary, and Abbotsleigh.

[@choirmaestroJack]

When I taught in DE and MD, I would bring my choir students to NYC. We would always go to St. Bart's where Bill Trafka would very willingly demonstrate the organ for the students.Bill is an amazing organist.Many of those students earn there money through music.Some have even gone on to major conservatories. Perhaps Bill, his world class organ, and the church had something to do with their decisions.

[@claireforestgreenorgangeek7144]

choirmaestroJack Bill Trafka's Kyrie is one of my favorite pieces of service music. I am not a fan of modern music usually, but I love his Kyrie. And what a lovely descant it has! By the way, I am an enthusiastic amateur organist. I fell in love with the organ in February 1988.

[@donaldcarter2970]

An very nice & awesome Christian song 🎵

[@donaldcarter2970]

BLESSED TRINITY

[@ellen823ful]

AWESOME 👏

[@matthewschmitzer6758]

@kariebeez "Nationalism" may not, but the nation was sought after, founded, and built on faith.

[@Chesterbarnes1]

Listen to the TRUMPET sounding off in the sanctuary!!! This ORGAN is outstanding!Who is the Organist at St. Bartholomew? I want his name?

[@claireforestgreenorgangeek7144]

Chesterbarnes1 I loooooooooove the organ! Trumpets are on my list of favorite instruments too, of course. I am an enthusiastic amateur organist. I fell in love with the organ in February 1988. The first time I heard this hymn was on July 4, 1988, played by my first-ever favorite organist, the late Fran McDaniel. (This was also the first hymn I ever heard fanfare in.)

[@RFSJ]

It's wonderful. I know St. Bart's isn't as dark as it appears on this video, though!

[@claireforestgreenorgangeek7144]

RFSJ I am an enthusiastic amateur organist.

[@claireforestgreenorgangeek7144]

Maybe if we all stand outside the White House singing this, our "President" will mend his ways. One can hope so. God of our fathers, help this nation!

[@ruthk.robbins8986]

yes.

[@americaforever]

Maybe you like our current President better.

[@JoeNYCBoi]

@RFSJ Yeah it definitely isn't! Even though I have my camera settings up at maximum exposure(?) to make the image as bright as it can be, it still comes out like this.