St. Stephen's Day

Go forward in your course,
Ye armies of the sky;
Because the Lord your God
Doth lead to victory.

Press onward to the mark,
Ye that have life and breath;
Resolved for good or ill,
For peril or for death.

The first who dared to die
Had blessed visions given:
The glory on Him shone
Down from the open heaven.

Look up into the skies,
Ye of the latter day;
The shining of that light
Shall never pass away.

Your bitter foes in vain
Their storms of malice shower;
Behold your Captain stand
At God's right hand in power.

Each scattering of the Church
The word of God shall sow;
For every cruel stroke,
The holy plant shall grow.

Lift up the voice of prayer
Before your enemies;
And from their very ranks
Fresh martyrs shall arise.