Saturday, September 01, 2018

McCain's funeral: "I Vow to Thee My Country"

THE REST OF THE STORY: As I listened to McCain's funeral this morning on NPR, they announced a piece as "Jupiter," from Holst's "The Planets." Although it did indeed begin as a theme embedded in Holst’s “Jupiter,” Holst set that melody ("Thaxted") to Cecil Spring Rice’s text “I Vow To Thee My Country” in 1921. It is now a beloved Anglican hymn. I cannot help but think that McCain, who was raised as an Episcopal, chose it to be played because of its lyrics.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7MG27BKwjaI
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.
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