[1926]Kendal:

Arthur Somervell, 1906

Ebenezer Elliot, 1850

When wilt thou save the people?

O God of mercy, when?

Not kings and lords, but nations!

Not thrones and crowns, but men!

Flowers of thy heart, O God, are they;

Let them not pass, like weeds, away,

Their heritage a sunless day.

God save the people!

Shall crime bring crime for ever,

Strength aiding still the strong?

Is it thy will, O Father,

That man shall toil for wrong?

"No," say thy mountains; "No," thy skies;

Man's clouded sun shall brightly rise,

And songs be heard instead of sighs;

God save the people!

When wilt thou save the people?

O God of mercy, when?

The people, Lord, the people,

Not thrones and crowns, but men!

God save the people; thine they are,

Thy children, as thy angels fair;

From vice, oppression, and despair,

God save the people!

Amen.