Now Praise We Great and Famous Men

Now praise we great and famous men
      And women named in story;
And praise our God who now as then
      Reveals, in all, true glory.

Praise we the wise and brave and strong,
      Who graced their generation:
Who helped the right and fought the wrong,
      And made our folk a nation.

Praise we the great of heart and mind,
      The singers sweetly gifted,
Whose music, like a mighty wind,
      The souls of all uplifted.

Praise we the peaceful hand of skill
      Which builded homes of beauty,
And, rich in art, made richer still
      The fellowship of duty.

Praise we the glorious names we know;
      And they whose names are perished,
Lost in the haze of long ago,
      In silent love be cherished.

In peace their sacred ashes rest;
      Fulfilled their day's endeavour;
They blessed the earth, and they are blessed
      Of God and us for ever.