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.