Hymns for the church year
Hymns for Remembrance Sunday and Veterans Day
On November 11 the guns of the First World War fell silent, and the day has been kept ever since: as Remembrance Day in Britain, Canada and the Commonwealth, as Veterans Day in the United States, and as Remembrance Sunday on the second Sunday of November in many British churches. Australia and New Zealand keep Anzac Day in April as well. These services hold grief and gratitude together — thanks for those who served, prayer for those who mourn, and longing for the day when nations will learn war no more.
The hymns sung at these services are some of the most familiar in the English language. “O God, Our Help in Ages Past” is the classic choice for an act of remembrance. “Eternal Father, Strong to Save” is the navy hymn, with its prayer “for those in peril on the sea.” “Abide with Me” is sung at memorials and at the graveside, and Kipling's “Recessional,” printed in hymnals as “God of Our Fathers, Known of Old,” gives the services their refrain: “Lest we forget.” Further down are hymns of peace, and the national anthems that close many ceremonies.
Every text is in the public domain in the United States, taken from a hymnal printed before 1931, so the words may be printed in an order of service, projected or recorded freely. Use “Print all lyrics” for one sheet, or the order of service builder to add readings, the Act of Remembrance and prayers.
Print all lyricsBuild an order of service
Hymns of remembrance
The hymns most often sung at Remembrance and Veterans Day services.
- O God, Our Help in Ages Past — O God, our Help in ages past,
- Eternal Father! strong to save — Eternal Father! strong to save,
- Abide With Me — Abide with me: fast falls the eventide;
- God of Our Fathers — God of our fathers, known of old,
- For all the Saints, who from their labor rest — For all the saints who from their labors rest,
Hymns of peace
Prayers for peace among the nations.
National anthems
Sung at the close of many ceremonies.
Questions about remembrance hymns
What hymns are sung on Remembrance Sunday?
“O God, Our Help in Ages Past” is the most common, often alongside “Eternal Father, Strong to Save,” “Abide with Me” and “I Vow to Thee, My Country.” The first three are on this page with free lyrics.
When is Remembrance Sunday?
Remembrance Sunday is the second Sunday of November — November 8 in 2026. Remembrance Day and Veterans Day are on November 11.
Where does “Lest we forget” come from?
It is the refrain of Rudyard Kipling's poem “Recessional” (1897), which hymnals print as “God of Our Fathers, Known of Old.” The words are on this page.
Can I print these hymns in a Remembrance order of service?
Yes. The words on this page are in the public domain in the United States. Check local copyright rules if you are printing outside the US; texts this old are free to use in most countries.