When Wilt Thou Save the People?

1When wilt Thou save the people?
O God of mercy, when?
Not kings and lords, but nations!
Not thrones and crowns, but men!
Flowers of Thy heart,
O God, are they;
Let them not pass, like weeds, away,
Their heritage a sunless day.
God save the people!

2Shall crime bring crime forever,
Strength aiding still the strong?
Is it Thy will,
O Father,
That man shall toil for wrong?
No, say Thy mountains;
No,
Thy skies;
Man's clouded sun shall brightly rise,
And songs be heard instead of sighs;
God save the people!

3When wilt Thou save the people?
O God of mercy, when?
The people,
Lord, the people,
Not thrones and crowns, but men!
God save the people;
Thine they are,
Thy children, as Thy angels fair;
From vice, oppression, and despair,
God save the people!