Hymn. Written During the Zulu War
“And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men unto me.”
—John xii. 32.
O Saviour throned in peace above
Reveal Thy piercèd side,
And let the vision of Thy love
Stay war’s remorseless tide;
Risen Saviour, hear!
For white, for black, alike didst Thou
Low bow Thy fainting head;
For all of ev’ry clime and hue,
Didst Thou thy heart’s blood shed.
Suffering Saviour, hear!
Behold fair Afric’s sunny lands
With reeking carnage strewed,
See God-made man with rigid hands
In brother’s blood imbrued;
Sorrowing Saviour, hear!
O hear the Briton’s dying groan,
The Zulu’s piercing wail;
O hear the famished orphan’s moan,
The widow’s sobbing tale;
Pitying Saviour, hear!
In mercy stay the quiv’ring spear;
Avert the death-winged ball;
Pour balm for ev’ry scalding tear,
And breathe Thy peace o’er all.
Mighty Saviour, hear!
Draw weary warriors round Thy feet
By love’s constraining cord;
There let the scattered nations meet,
And hail Thee Sov’reign Lord.
Gracious Saviour, hear!
William Selwyn.
Port Elizabeth, February 9, 1879.