The Story of a Special Hymn
I Vow To Thee My Country’ Sir Cecil Spring Rice, GCMG, GCVO / Gustav Holst
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 sacrificeAnd 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
The text for the hymn comes originally from a poem written originally in about 1908, by a British diplomat and Ambassador to the United States, Sir Cecil Spring Rice, (1859-1918).
Called Urbs Dei (The City of God) or ‘The Two Father Lands‘ the poem explores how a Christian will have two countries , his homeland and his heavenly country.
In 1918 just prior to his death and after the trauma and losses of the First World War, Spring Rice rewrote the first verse to ensure it portrayed themes of love and sacrifice.
Music by Gustav Holst, (1874 – 1934)
It was set to music by Gustav Holst, who, in spite of his insistence on the integrity and completeness of his ‘Planets Suite‘, he himself adapted part of Jupiter to form a tune that fitted the words of the poem .
It was published as a hymn in 1925 in the ‘Songs of Praise‘ hymnbook, which was sadly after Spring Rice’s death on 14th February, 1918
The tune was called ‘Thaxted ‘ after the village where Holst lived for many years.
Longstanding Popularity
‘I Vow to Thee, My Country’ has been popular ever since and was used at the funerals of
Sir Winston Churchill, Princess Diana and Margaret Thatcher.
In 2019 it was voted the Nation’s sixth favourite hymn , despite there being some criticism over it with a question over ” unquestioning obedience”.
It continues to be widely used in Remembrance Services worldwide.
With very powerful words it continues to resonate with us as we gather to remember the fallen of all conflicts.
Researched by Sue Johnson
St Peter's Church, Church Langton 