A Hymn for High Places
A climber's anthem, ripe for rediscovery In darkened days of strife and fear, When far from home and hold, I do essay my soul to cheer As did wise men of old ; When folk do go in doleful guise And are for life afraid, I to the hills will lift mine eyes From whence doth come mine aid. I shall my soul a temple make Where hills stand up on high ; Thither my sadness shall I take And comfort there descry ; For every good and noble mount This message doth extend— That evil men must render count And evil days must end. For, sooth, it is a kingly sight To see God's mountain tall That vanquisheth each lesser height As great hearts vanquish small ; Stand up, stand up, ye holy hills, As saints and seraphs do, That ye may bear these present ills And lead men safely through. Let high and low repair and go To where great hills endure ; Let strong and weak be there to seek Their comfort and their cure ; And for all hills in fair array Now thanks and blessings give, An...