Henry Alford

The National Prayer. October 1840

From our aisles of places holy, From our dwellings calm and lowly, On the autumn breezes slowly Swells the sound of prayer: God! before thy footstool bending, Anxious crowds their heart--wish blending, To thine heaven their vows are sending,-- Make our Queen thy care! Brighter than our pomp and pleasure, Precious above every treasure, Dear beyond all human measure, Is that life we love: Saviour, slumbering not nor sleeping, But thy watch in danger keeping, Hear our prayer, receive our weeping,-- Guard her from above!