Warning: Jingoistic nationalism ahead .. :P
What happens when most patriotic songs you know have been hijacked for partisan purposes? I guess one just has to import another ..
Click here (opens in new window - my flash player isn't embedding)
This song; I Vow To Thee My Country or Jerusalem; is typically used as a patriotic song in England but it does sum up what I feel ..
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.
Incidentally, the tune has also been used for a less secular hymn that isn't usually heard in Malaysian churches :
O God beyond all praising,God have mercy on us all. God bless Malaysia.
we worship you today
and sing the love amazing
that songs cannot repay;
for we can only wonder
at every gift you send,
at blessings without number
and mercies without end:
we lift our hearts before you
and wait upon your word,
we honor and adore you,
our great and mighty Lord.Then hear, O gracious Saviour,
accept the love we bring,
that we who know your favour
may serve you as our king;
and whether our tomorrows
be filled with good or ill,
we'II triumph through our sorrows
and rise to bless you still:
to marvel at your beauty
and glory in your ways,
and make a joyful duty
our sacrifice of praise.
