1. Faith of our fathers! living still In spite of dungeon, fire and sword, O how our hearts beat high with joy Whene'er we hear that glorious word! Faith of our fathers, holy faith! We will be true to Thee till death! 2. Faith of our fathers! we will strive To win all nations unto Thee, And thro' the truth that comes from God, Mankind shall then be truly free: Faith of our fathers, holy faith! We will be true to Thee till death! 3. Faith of our fathers! we will love Both friend and foe in all our strife, And preach Thee, too, as love knows how, By kindly words and virtuous life: Faith of our fathers, holy faith! We will be true to Thee till death.
Lyrics:
Frederick William Faber
Music: Henri Frederick Hemy
Tune: ST. CATHERINE
Meter: 8.8.8.8.8.8.
Frederick W. Faber, 1814–1863
The “faith of our fathers” referred to in this hymn is the faith of the martyred leaders of the Roman Catholic church during the 16th century. Although he was raised as a Calvinist and later was a minister in the Anglican church, Frederick Faber left the state church and joined the Roman Catholic fold. He became known as Father Wilfrid. Faber began to make it his life’s mission to write hymns that promoted the history and teachings of the Catholic church. Frederick Faber wrote 150 such hymns before his early death at the age of 49. His “Faith of Our Fathers” text first appeared in 1849 in the author’s collection, Jesus and Mary, or Catholic Hymns for Singing and Reading. It was always Faber’s hope that someday England would be brought back to the Papal fold.