ANZAC ANTHEM

Hokitika Guardian, 23 July 1929, Page 7

ANZAC ANTHEM

ARCHBISHOP AVERILL’S SELECTION. ACCEPTED BY R.S.A. t. ; AUCKLAND, July 19. At last Anzac Day service Archbishop Averill suggested that the time had arrived for New Zealanders to produce an anthem or hymn for this anniversary, which would express the deeper meaning of the service. A response was made by some fifty people in various parts of tho Dominion. The Archbishop selected verses by Mr John Youlin Birch, and those have been set to music by the city organist, Mr J. Maughan Barnett. The compostion has been accepted by the Auckland Returned Soldiers’ Association, and is available for any association wnicli desires to use it. Following are Mr Birch’s verses:

ANZAC ANTHEM. Oh, Lord of Love, with Whom in Heaven now dwell In rest eternal, from all burden free, New' Zealand’ sons who nobly fought and fell, Teach us to honour their ideals and Thee. Name of Anzac, Fame of Anzac, Live for Evermore I Almighty God, inspire us all to strive For Love and for the brotherhood of man; And grant the Anzac spirit may survive, On evil strife, O Lord, place Thou Thy ban. Name of Anzac, Fame of Anzac, Live for Evermore 1 0, Lord of Hosts, whose banner is unfurled Throughout our Empire, humbly dc we plead That Thou wilt help us make a warles: w r or!d, And banish hatred, jealousies and greed. Name of Anzac, Fame of Anzac, Live for Evermore !

Instil in us, 0 Lord, the will for peace The zeal to fight for it with migh and main. Our gallant sons who died that wa: should cease Must not have made their sacrifice in vain. Name of Anzac, Fame of Anzac, Live for Evermore !