L. F.: Collected Lyrics
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Public-domain lyrics

The Landing of St. Augustine in Britain

L. F.

“The Landing of St. Augustine in Britain” as printed in A First Series of Hymns and Songs (1853).

L. F.: Collected Lyrics Text 1 1853 · historical text
Public domainHymnSacred song
Complete public-domain lyrics

This text comes from A First Series of Hymns and Songs, a historical songbook transcribed on Wikisource and reproduced from the pinned revision linked below.

Verse 1

The heathen monarch sits enthron'd

In all his pomp and pride,

With twice ten thousand men at arms

Assembled at his side.

Verse 2

He greets the band of holy men

Who march in pain and toil,

To plant the banner of the Cross

In Britain's sea-girt isle.

Verse 3

Not in the strength of man they come,

No human arms they bear;

Their armour is the shield of faith,

Their weapons fast and prayer.

Verse 4

To Faith's good fight in holy trust,

In courage calm and high,

Their fearless leader guides them on,

To conquer or to die.

Verse 5

They come, and soon the heathen gods

Before them prostrate fall,

As erst of old to trumpet's clang

Fell down a city's wall.

Verse 6

O blessed day, whose light illumes

The present and the past;

Thy fire of faith must still burn on,

As long as time shall last:—

Verse 7

Though faint and feeble now perchance,

Yet still a deathless flame;

And ages yet unborn shall learn

To bless Augustine's name.

Credits

Written by L. F.

Words by L. F.. Historical text published in A First Series of Hymns and Songs (1853); public domain. No claim to a modern recording or arrangement.

Source & text edition

A First Series of Hymns and Songs (1853), “The Landing of St. Augustine in Britain”

Every text in this 1853 collection is by Henry Formby (1816-1884), who died more than 140 years ago, so the text is in the public domain worldwide; the edition carries a Wikisource PD-old determination.

How to read this historical text and its source

Read the source on Wikisource

View copyright evidence · Transcription terms (CC BY-SA 4.0)

Retrieved 2026-10-26. Line spacing and section labels are adapted for reading. The displayed text follows the linked edition. Editorial notes and abstract artwork are by 52lyrics.
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