1
Faith of our fathers, living still
In spite of dungeon, fire and sword,
O how our hearts beat high with joy
Whene’er we hear that glorious word!
Faith of our fathers! holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death!
In spite of dungeon, fire and sword,
O how our hearts beat high with joy
Whene’er we hear that glorious word!
Faith of our fathers! holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death!
2
Our fathers, chained in prisons dark,
Were still in heart and conscience free;
And blest would be their children’s fate,
If they, like them should die for thee:
Faith of our fathers! holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death!
Were still in heart and conscience free;
And blest would be their children’s fate,
If they, like them should die for thee:
Faith of our fathers! holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death!
3
Faith of our fathers, we will strive
To win all nations unto thee;
And through the truth that comes from God
Mankind shall then indeed be free.
Faith of our fathers! holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death!
To win all nations unto thee;
And through the truth that comes from God
Mankind shall then indeed be free.
Faith of our fathers! holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death!
4
Faith of our fathers, we will love
Both friend and foe in all our strife,
And preach thee, too, as love knows how
By kindly words and virtuous life.
Faith of our fathers! holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death!
Both friend and foe in all our strife,
And preach thee, too, as love knows how
By kindly words and virtuous life.
Faith of our fathers! holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death!
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Wantagh, New York, United States
Thanks to the folks who provided some historical perspective on the Catholic hymn from the mid-nineteenth century. However, I am still trying to find out how this wonderful hymn made it into the Lutheran Book of Worship ('The Green Book', currently used by the ELCA).
Manchester, Lancs
When I was little and they still sang this in the Catholic Mass it would make me feel overwhelming sadness as I thought it was about my Father and the line "we will be true to thee till death" always made me cry. I have no idea why this memory has surfaced now..50 years on, my dad passed 20 years ago, but I had a strong urge to share this and where better?? I love and miss him more than I EVER would have imagined...xxx
Liverpool., England, United Kingdom
Great song. It's Father's Day and I was preparing my heart for Sunday Worship when the Holy Spirit dropped this song in my heart and I was overjoyed immediately. Perfect wording that requires no change whatsoever as requested by Dave who made the last comment before mine. I don't know what his religion is but oh how we need to be true indeed till death meaning till our last breath. The tune played is the only one I know and Iove it. Please suggest other tunes if you have one. God bless.
The piano music was very nice, but the words need a complete rewrite. I feel that someone has changed the meaning of the song. The song was originally about heavens, people trying to be good, and be careful about their money and food, so that heaven can control the criminals. Some of the original people got injured and their families wanted to try to take care of them, while they were injured and unemployed, and were living slightly poor. But the modified words make it sound as if the originals and their children are dying. We are trying not to die. We are trying to stay safe while heaven is controlling the criminal nations. Try not to take the words literally about true to thee till death. and worse yet, children dying to save nations. My religion has a softer interpretation, where families are helping take care of their injured family members so that they don't die. Especially people hoping to be rescued. We try to be true to heaven. But hopefully this will not involve death of heavens people. But it is a catchy tune. It needs different words.
Auckland
Shame that the tune played is not correct. But the written music on this site is the correct one. This is a Presbyterian hymn that we Catholics laid claimed to and is played at most Masses round Anzac Day.
Little Dunham, Norfolk
I am a committed Anglican but went to a Catholic boarding school - this is by far my favourite hymn - it is truly wonderful - As a result of my school days I have always considered myself as an Anglo/Catholic - if that makes sense - I embrace both paths.
Boston, Massachusetts, United States
Great hymn... What a solemn call to contemporary Christians to retrace their steps back to the ancient pathway of absolute consecration.
Glasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom
I agree Christine. I remember singing this hymn in Primary School and the tune was much more rousing.
I also remember the tune as 'Oh bread of heaven beneath this veil, though dost my very God conceal...'
Brings back great childhood memories from times when we saw the world very differently.
Sadly, religion is a diminishing force in the world, and Catholicism is one of many religions fighting for influence.
Finally, 'martyrdom' has deeply negative connotations in these days of suicide bombers. I know the contexts are often very different, but the Catholic church celebrates the likes of Thomas More as martyrs even though he was responsible for the deaths of many people of conscience in his times.
Faith of our Fathers is like a call to arms for Catholics, in my opinion not appropriate for the modern age. There's enough so-called 'religious' conflict.
Nowadays, I fell more inspired by more inclusive songs such as the Internationale, or pop songs like John Lennon's 'Imagine'.
Mersin, Içel, Turkey
The tune you have given for this very old Catholic hymn ''Faith of our Fathers Living Still'' is not correct at all.
The tune you have given is for ''O Bread of Heaven Beneath this Veil''
What has happened to the ORIGINAL TUNE please?!! I can't find it anywhere and I believe it speaks for us again at this time in the holy Church.
Calabar, Cross River, Nigeria
I woke up this morning and my spirit got connected to this song. I hummed and then sang. My heart was reminded of the faith I must keep in spite of all odds.