Fwd: Recessional

God of our fathers, known of old--  Lord of our far-flung battle-line--  Beneath whose awful Hand we hold  Dominion over palm and pine--  Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,  Lest we forget--lest we forget!    The tumult and the shouting dies--  The captains and the kings depart--  Still stands Thine ancient Sacrifice,  An humble and a contrite heart.  Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,  Lest we forget--lest we forget!    Far-called our navies melt away--  On dune and headland sinks the fire--  Lo, all our pomp of yesterday  Is one with Nineveh and Tyre!  Judge of the Nations, spare us yet,  Lest we forget--lest we forget!    If, drunk with sight of power, we loose  Wild tongues that have not Thee in awe--  Such boasting as the Gentiles use  Or lesser breeds without the Law--  Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,  Lest we forget--lest we forget!    For heathen heart that puts her trust  In reeking tube and iron shard--  All valiant dust that builds on dust,  And guarding calls not Thee to guard--  For frantic boast and foolish word,  Thy mercy on Thy People, Lord! Amen.    -- Rudyard Kipling