“God Save the Church!” (Suggested Lyrics, to the Melody of “God Save the Queen!”)

Lord, bless Thy holy Bride,
Born from Thy wounded side,
Thy one true Church…

From Satan’s vile intent
And men of evil bent,
God save the Church!…

Hello, Dear Reader. We haven’t blogged here a while, but we hope you’ll enjoy this isolated offering. It’s our adaptation of the hymn “God Save the Queen”, this time dedicated to the holy mother Church. Amid persecutions and calumnies in both non-Christian and historically Christian states, we thought it fitting that our first post in months should be a hymn and prayer that the Lord may protect her. We hope our British and Commonwealth friends won’t mind, but we chose to adapt God Save the Church because of its stately character.

God Save the Church
(To the melody and cadence of “God Save the Queen”*)

Lord, bless Thy holy Bride,
Born from Thy wounded side,
Thy one true Church.
Send her victorious,
Faithful and glorious.
Long to watch over us:
God save Thy Church!

Make all her foes retreat,
Their cruel assaults defeat
With heaven’s light.
Mend all their sinful ways,
Their heresies erase.
Thee Christ our King we pray:
God save Thy Church!

May she speak truth in love,
And Thy laws from above.
Long may she rule.
May she pour forth Thy grace
That we may win the race
And see Thee face to face.
God save Thy Church!

From Satan’s vile intent
And men of evil bent,
God save the Church!
O’er her Thine arm extend,
Thy Vicar’s barque defend,
Our mother, teacher, friend.
God save Thy Church!

*Original lyrics from <http://www.hymns.me.uk/god-save-the-queen-hymn.htm>, last accessed August 3, 2012.