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Play “Once to Every Man and Nation”

Free same-meter accompaniment for Once to Every Man and Nation (James Russell Lowell): organ, piano or guitar playing the tune HYFRYDOL (Rowland Hugh Prichard) in four-part harmony, 4 verses, with the words on screen. Choose the key and speed, add an introduction, project the words on a TV, or practice your own choir part. Made for churches and home groups without a musician.

Sung here to HYFRYDOL (Rowland Hugh Prichard), a 8.7.8.7 D tune — not necessarily the tune usually paired with this text. Any tune in the same meter fits the words.

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  1. 1Once to every man and nation
  2. Comes the moment to decide,
  3. In the strife of truth and falsehood,
  4. For the good or evil side.
  5. Some great cause, God's new Messiah,
  6. Off'ring each the bloom or blight,
  7. And the choice goes by for ever
  8. 'Twixt that darkness and that light.
  9. 2Then to side with truth is noble
  10. When we share her wretched crust,
  11. Ere her cause bring fame and profit,
  12. And 'tis prosperous to be just;
  13. Then it is the brave man chooses,
  14. While the coward stands aside
  15. Till the multitude make virtue
  16. Of the faith they have denied.
  17. 3By the light of burning martyrs
  18. Jesus' bleeding feet I track
  19. Toiling up new Calvaries ever
  20. With the cross that turns not back;
  21. New occasions teach new duties,
  22. Time makes ancient good uncouth;
  23. They must upward still and onward,
  24. Who would keep abreast of truth.
  25. 4Though the cause of evil prosper,
  26. Yet 'tis truth alone is strong;
  27. Though her portion be the scaffold,
  28. And upon the throne be wrong,
  29. Yet the scaffold sways the future,
  30. And, behind the dim unknown,
  31. Standeth God with the shadow
  32. Keeping watch above His own.

About this music

HYFRYDOL — Rowland Hugh Prichard. 'HyFrydol' Rowland H. Prichard, 1830. Setting: "The English Hymnal", 1906.. The score is from the Open Hymnal Project, copied from 'The English Hymnal' 1906, Hymn 563. Arrangement - NOT PRICHARD per English hymnal, 1906 assume RV Williams; music and setting are in the public domain. The words above are from the hymnal cited on the Once to Every Man and Nation page.

Played in your browser with instrument sounds from the FluidR3 soundfont by Frank Wen (MIT license). No recordings are used.

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