For All the Saints

For all the saints who from their labours rest,
All who by faith before the world confessed,
Your name, O Jesus, be for ever blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

You were their rock, their fortress and their might;
You, Lord, their Captain in the well-fought fight;
You in the darkness drear, their one true light.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

O may your soldiers, faithful, true and bold,
Fight as the saints who nobly fought of old,
And win with them, the victor's crown of gold.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

O blest communion, family divine!
We feebly struggle, they in glory shine;
Yet all are one within your great design.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

And when the strife is fierce, the warfare long,
Steals on the ear the distant triumph song,
And hearts are brave again, and arms are strong.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

The golden evening brightens in the west;
Soon, soon to faithful warriors comes their rest;
Sweet is the calm of paradise the blest.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

But then there breaks a yet more glorious day:
The saints triumphant rise in bright array;
The King of glory passes on his way.
Alleluia! Alleluia!

From earth's wide bounds, from ocean's farthest coast,
Through gates of pearl streams in the countless host.
Singing to Father, Son, and Holy Ghost:
Alleluia! Alleluia!

William W. How