When the United States was preparing to celebrate the one-hundredth anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence in 1876, every village, town, and city was planning a special Fourth of July celebration for the occasion. Daniel C. Roberts, a young minister in rural Brandon, Vermont, was asked to write a hymn to be sung at the small town’s celebration. “God of Our Fathers” was first sung to “Russian Hymn,” the tune of the national anthem of Czarist Russia then. The tune was also one of the themes used by Tchaikovsky in his 1812 Overture.
Some years later, Roberts anonymously sent the hymn to the committee preparing a new Episcopal hymnal. He doubted his ability, but he said he’d identify himself if his hymn were selected. It was selected and included in the 1892 edition of the hymnal, and this hymn that was first sung in that small Vermont town has appeared in almost every hymnal in America.
At that same time, America was also planning for the centennial celebration of the adoption of the United States Constitution. The planners for the national celebration wanted to use Robert’s hymn, but they felt it wouldn’t be appropriate to have the hymn sung to the music of another country's national anthem. George W. Warren, a noted organist in New York City, was commissioned to write a new tune, and he wrote the tune “National Hymn,” which is still used today.
The new tune, with its trumpet fanfare and majestic tone, has contributed to the hymn’s popularity. In 1931, it was officially recognized as the National Hymn of the United States by an Act of Congress, which President Herbert Hoover signed. “God of Our Fathers” is often sung at official events, including presidential inaugurations, state funerals, and military ceremonies. Americans often sing it on patriotic occasions, including Memorial Day, the Fourth of July, and Veteran’s Day.
Most patriotic songs that are included in hymnals express praise to God for the beauty and blessings of America. God is at the center of this congregational hymn, which praises Him for His guidance in the past and acknowledges the need for America to continue to rely on the "God of Our Fathers."
Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord (Psalm 33:12).
Leads forth in beauty all the starry band
Of shining worlds in splendour through the skies,
Our grateful songs before thy throne arise.
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.
Be thy strong arm our ever sure defence;
Thy true religion in our hearts increase,
Thy bounteous goodness nourish us in peace.
Lead us from night to never-ending day;
And glory, laud and praise be ever thine.
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