I vow to thee my country - Definition

I Vow to Thee, My Country is an English patriotic song and Anglican hymn. The song was written by Ce­cil A. Spring-Rice in 1918 after the Great War of 1914–1918. In 1921, the music of "Jupiter" from Gustav Holst's Planets Suite was added. The tune is also known as Thaxted.

The tune is also used in "The World in Union", which is a score for the Rugby World Cup.

Diana, Princess of Wales, requested this hymn be sung at her wedding, saying that it had "always been a favourite since schooldays". It was also sung at her funeral in 1997.

The first verse is a reference to England and those who died during the Great War. The second verse is a reference to Heaven.

Lyrics

I vow to thee, my country, all earthly things above,

Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love;

The love that asks no question, the love that stands the test,

That lays upon the altar the dearest and the best;

The love that never falters, the love that pays the price,

The love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice.

And there's another country, I've heard of long ago,

Most dear to them that love her, most great to them that know;

We may not count her armies, we may not see her King;

Her fortress is a faithful heart, her pride is suffering;

And soul by soul and silently her shining bounds increase,

And her ways are ways of gentleness, and all her paths are peace.