"Hymn Before Action" is a poem written by
Rudyard Kipling in 1896. It takes the form of a
prayer by troops to God and to
Mary on the eve of battle.
Publication history and reception
The poem was inspired by the 1860 hymn ''
The Church's One Foundation
"The Church's One Foundation" is a Christian hymn written in the 1860s by Samuel John Stone.
Background
The song was written as a direct response to the schism within the Church of South Africa caused by John William Colenso, first Bishop of ...
'' by
Samuel John Stone
Samuel John Stone (25 April 1839 – 19 November 1900) was an English poet, hymnodist, and a priest in the Church of England.
Life and career
Stone was born on 25 April 1839 at his father's rectory in the parish of Whitmore, Staffordshire. H ...
. It was written and published in ''
The Times'' at a time when news of the botched
Jameson Raid of January 1896 reached Britain.
Accordingly, it has been read as an expression of foreboding about increasing
Great Power hostility to Britain
– "The Nations in their harness / Go up against our path" – as a comment on
filibustering and as an argument for responsible
imperialism
Imperialism is the state policy, practice, or advocacy of extending power and dominion, especially by direct territorial acquisition or by gaining political and economic control of other areas, often through employing hard power (economic and ...
under God and the Law:
From panic, pride, and terror,
Revenge that knows no rein,
Light haste and lawless error,
Protect us yet again.
Published in Kipling's 1896 collection of poetry, ''
The Seven Seas
The "Seven Seas" is a figurative term for all the seas of the known world. The phrase is used in reference to sailors and pirates in the arts and popular culture and can be associated with the Mediterranean Sea, the Arabian Seven Seas east of ...
'', the patriotic
hymn
A hymn is a type of song, and partially synonymous with devotional song, specifically written for the purpose of adoration or prayer, and typically addressed to a deity or deities, or to a prominent figure or personification. The word ''hymn ...
was among the works that consolidated Kipling's reputation as "The Laureate of Empire".
, the founder of the
Legion of Frontiersmen, did not appear to notice Kipling's complex vision of the imperial task when he praised the poem in a letter to Kipling as "the biggest thing you've written so far."
In 1930, an English choir drew some attention by refusing to sing the hymn on account of its "pagan character". The choir's secretary argued that it might be appropriate for "troops of savages bent on slaughter," but presented "a primitive, unworthy conception of the Deity".
The poem was set to music in 2000 by Welsh composer
Karl Jenkins for his Mass setting ''
The Armed Man''.
Text
The earth is full of anger,
The seas are dark with wrath,
The Nations in their harness
Go up against our path:
Ere yet we loose the legions—
Ere yet we draw the blade,
Jehovah of the Thunders,
Lord God of Battles, aid!
High lust and froward bearing,
Proud heart, rebellious brow—
Deaf ear and soul uncaring,
We seek Thy mercy now!
The sinner that forswore Thee,
The fool that passed Thee by,
Our times are known before Thee—
Lord, grant us strength to die!
For those who kneel beside us
At altars not Thine own,
Who lack the lights that guide us,
Lord, let their faith atone.
If wrong we did to call them,
By honour bound they came;
Let not Thy Wrath befall them,
But deal to us the blame.
From panic, pride, and terror,
Revenge that knows no rein,
Light haste and lawless error,
Protect us yet again.
Cloak Thou our undeserving,
Make firm the shuddering breath,
In silence and unswerving
To taste Thy lesser death!
Ah, Mary pierced with sorrow,
Remember, reach and save
The soul that comes to-morrow
Before the God that gave!
Since each was born of woman,
For each at utter need—
True comrade and true foeman—
Madonna, intercede!
E'en now their vanguard gathers,
E'en now we face the fray—
As Thou didst help our fathers,
Help Thou our host to-day!
Fulfilled of signs and wonders,
In life, in death made clear—
Jehovah of the Thunders,
Lord God of Battles, hear!
References
Bibliography
*
*Various republications.
{{Rudyard Kipling
Poetry by Rudyard Kipling
1896 poems