Scripture Verse

They shall beat their swords into plowshares, and their spears into pruning hooks: nation shall not lift up sword against nation, neither shall they learn war any more. Isaiah 2:4

Introduction

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Henry W. Longfellow
1807–1882

Words: Adapted from Hen­ry W. Long­fel­low’s an­ti-war po­em The Ar­se­nal at Spring­field, pub­lished in The Bel­fry of Bruges and Oth­er Po­ems, 1845. The ci­ty of Spring­field, Mas­sa­chu­setts, was home to a large ar­mo­ry.

Music: Marl­bo­rough (Sul­li­van), ar­ranged by Ar­thur S. Sul­li­van, Church Hymns with Tunes (Lon­don: So­ci­e­ty for Pro­mot­ing Chris­tian Know­ledge, 1874), page 10 (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

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Arthur S. Sullivan
1842–1900

Lyrics

Down the dark future, through long generations,
The sounds of war grow fainter and then cease;
And like a bell with solemn, sweet vibrations,
I hear once more the voice of Christ say, Peace!

Peace! and no longer, from its brazen portals,
The blast of war’s great organ shakes the skies!
But beautiful as songs of the immortals,
The holy melodies of love arise.