07 November 2016

An Hymn of Saint Michael the Archangel

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1. Holy Michael, great Archangel,
Nerve thine arm and bare thy sword,
Lead us with thy dazzling legions,
In the battle for the Lord:
Sure defence and trusty safeguard,
Let thy mighty strength afford.

2. Not with flesh and blood we wrestle,
Not as man with man contend,
But against the powers of darkness,
Who on craft and lies depend:
Treachery and shame and violence,
All the cause of Hell befriend.

3. Through God’s threefold fair creation,
Through the earth, the sea, the sky,
Wander Satan’s loathly spirits,
Luring souls of men to die:
Cast them down, O Prince of Angels,
By the power of God Most High.

4. All who pouring out their life blood,
More than conquer in the fight,
All who in th’ unequal combat,
Fall beneath the oppressor’s might:
Christ the King’s great Standard-Bearer,
Lead into the Holy Light!


The English Catholic Hymn Book
W. Knott  & Sons, 1955
Revised and Augmented ed.
Tune: Regent Square

Saint Michael the Archangel, defend us in battle.