Faith of Our Fathers (hymn)

Faith of our Fathers is an English Catholic hymn, written in 1849 by Frederick William Faber in memory of the Catholic martyrs from the time of the establishment of the Church of England by Henry VIII. Faber wrote two versions of the hymn: with seven stanzas for Ireland and with four for England. The Irish version was sung at hurling matches until the 1960s.

In England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland it is usually sung to the traditional tune Sawston; in the U.S. the tune St Catherine by Henri Hemy is more commonly used.

Lyrics:

Faith of our Fathers! living still

Oh, how our hearts beat high with joy

Faith of our Fathers! Holy Faith!

We will be true to thee till death.

Our Fathers, chained in prisons dark,

How sweet would be their children's fate,

Faith of our Fathers! Holy Faith!

We will be true to thee till death.

Faith of our Fathers! Mary's prayers

And through the truth that comes from God

Faith of our Fathers! Holy Faith!

We will be true to thee till death.

Faith of our Fathers! we will love

And preach thee too, as love knows how

Faith of our Fathers! Holy Faith!

We will be true to thee till death.

In countries outside of England the words "Our land" have been substituted for "England".

Many Protestant churches and hymnals use an adapted version with an altered third verse:

This song is among the most common songs in the Seventh day Adventist Church...its moving and touching The final line of this verse has also been adapted as, "We all shall then be truly free."

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