We customarily think of July 4, 1776 as the birthday of America, marking the signing of the Declaration of Independence. And so it was in 1876 that the hymn “God of Our Fathers” was written specifically for the commemoration of the 100th anniversary of that historic moment and document. The hymn has become a staple for a wide variety of American hymnals, as it serves to encourage a patriotic spirit on such national occasions as the Sundays closest to July 4, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day. It is a good choice for such moments, since it is not so much a celebration of what we and our forefathers have done, as it is a celebration of what God has done. Indeed, the hymn is actually a prayer of thanksgiving to and dependence on the Lord.
When Daniel Crane Roberts (1841-1907) was 35 years old, he composed the text for that Centennial Fourth of July celebration. At the time, he was the rector of an Episcopal Church in the small town of Brandon, Vermont. He had been born in Bridgehampton, Long Island, NY. Educated at Kenyon College, Gambier, Ohio, he had served in the union army in the 84th Ohio Volunteers during the Civil War. He was ordained as a priest in 1866 and ministered to several congregations in Vermont and Massachusetts. In 1878 he began a ministry as vicar at St. Paul Church in Concord, New Hampshire that lasted for twenty-three years. A shy man, he served for many years as president of the New Hampshire State Historical Society. Six years before his death Roberts wrote, “I remain a country parson, known only within my small world.” The widespread appreciation of his hymn certainly proved him wrong! He was awarded an honorary Doctor of Divinity degree by Norwich University in 1885. He died on October 31st (Reformation Day), 1907, in Concord.
At the time of its composition, the words were sung to the tune RUSSIAN HYMN. Later Roberts was invited to submit his hymn for inclusion in the composition an Episcopal Church hymnal. He sent it as an anonymous submission, promising to give his name if it was chosen. Dr. Tucker of Troy, NY and Mr. George William Warren (1828-1902), organist of St. Thomas Church in New York City were appointed to choose a hymn for the celebration of the Constitution. They selected this text, but did not feel it appropriate to use a tune named RUSSIAN HYMN for an American celebration as significant as this. Warren composed the tune which has been used ever since, with a much better name, NATIONAL HYMN. Warren was born in Albany, NY and received his education at Racine College in Wisconsin. As a musician, he was largely self-trained. He was organist at St. Thomas in NYC for thirty years, where he composed anthems and liturgical service music.
Stanza 1 describes the Lord as “God of our fathers,” recalling of course those who have gone before us to teach us about His wonderful works. How sad that some “progressive” hymnals have felt the need to remove a reference to the masculine “fathers” by changing the line to “God of the ages.” Ezra 7:27 speaks of God in exactly this way, as “God of our fathers.” And what beautiful imagery to compare the way God “leads forth in beauty all the starry band” through the skies, to the way His almighty hand is leading us to praise and trust Him.
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.
Stanza 2 looks to the future, acknowledging that God’s love has “led us in the past,” recalling the stories we have learned about America’s history and the blessings we have inherited from the Lord’s goodness. This “free land” is unique in the history of the world, certainly in large part because of Christians who have been the salt of the earth and the light of the world, being that small remnant through whom the Lord has preserved us and our liberties. The stanza then asks that He would continue to bless us and enable us to set our paths to walk in conformity to His Word. We think of Psalm 33:12, “How blessed is the nation whose God is the LORD.”
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.
Stanza 3 is more specific about the terrible things that come in the wake of war. We need His blessing to protect us from the fears that come upon those whose land becomes overwhelmed with war. It includes everything from the fear and anxiety over what could happen if the enemy’s attacks come to our home, to the famine and disease that always accompany warfare. We long for peace as we pray that the God of peace, who alone can bring true peace, would do so, as we maintain and increase our trust in the Prince of peace.
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.
Stanza 4 looks beyond this life to the age to come. It’s only there that we shall find true and lasting peace. In that “never-ending day” we will forever “glory, laud, and praise” His blessed name. In every era where armed conflict and political chaos and moral calamity increases, we remind ourselves that we need to persevere until that day when the Lord will appear, when every eye shall behold Him and every tongue acknowledge that He is King of kings and Lord of lords.
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.
It’s always a special joy for the church organist when this hymn has been chosen, especially if the organ has a powerful array of trumpet pipes to play the fanfares.
Here is an anthem arrangement, along with scenes from across the land.