📢 New Windows desktop version 2.4 is released with full-length organ audio accompaniment for all 1200 hymns!
HYMN #0603 A&M #603 • Ancient & Modern Meter: 8 7 8 7 8 7 8 7 Hymns Ancient & Modern (638)

A&M Hymn #603: Round the Sacred City gather

Complete lyrics, stanzas, and pipe organ accompaniment • Hymns Ancient & Modern

1
Round the Sacred City gather
Egypt, Edom, Babylon ;
All the warring hosts of error,
Sworn against her, move as one :
2
Vain the leaguer ! her foundations
Are upon the holy hills,
And the love of the Eternal
All her stately temple fills.
3
Get thee, watchman, to the ram-
Gird thee, warrior, with thy sword !
Be ye strong as ye remember
That amidst you is the Lord ;
4
Like the night mists from the
valley,
These shall vanish one by one,
Egypt's malice, Edom's envy,
5
And the hate of Babylon.
But be true, ye sons and daughters,
Lest the peril be within ;
Watch to prayer, lest, while ye
6
slumber,
Stealthy foemen enter in :
.Safe the mother and the children,
If their will and love be strong,
7
"While their loyal hearts go singing
Prayer and praise for battle song.
w/Church of God ! if we forget thee
Let His blessing fail our hand,
8
When our love shall not prefer thee
Let His love forget our land :—
Nay ! to thee shall we be steadfast,
Though the world's foundations
9
shake,
Love of thee is love for ever,
Love of thee for Jescs' sake.
Church of Christ 1 upon thy
10
banner,
Lo, His Passion's awful sign ;
By that seal . > f II i- Redemption
Thou art His, and He is thine :
11
From the depth of His Atonement
Flows thv Sacramental tide :
o/From the height of His Ascension
Flows t lie grace which is thy guide.
12
God the Spirit dwells within thee,
His Society Divine,
His the living word thou keepest,
His thy Apostolic line.
13
Ancient prayer and song liturgic.
Creeds that change not to the end,
As His gift we have received them,
As His charge we will defend.
14
Alleluia, Alleluia,
To the Father, Spirit, Son,
In Whose will the Church at warfare
With the Church at rest is one ;
15
So to Thee we sins in union,
God in earth and Heav'n adored,
Alleluia, Allekiia,
Holy, Holy, Holy Lord.
15
Amen.
← Prev (#602) Hymn 603 of 638 Next (#604) →
🔎 Browse All 638 A&M Hymns
Hymnological Reference • Historical Notes

Background, Themes & Devotional Notes for "Round the Sacred City gather"

Collection: Hymns Ancient & Modern

📜 Historical Background & Origin

This hymn is designated as Hymn #603 in the venerable Hymns Ancient & Modern (1889 Standard Edition). Originally compiled under the guidance of the Rev. Sir Henry Williams Baker and a committee of dedicated church musicians, this hymnal harmonized historic Latin, Greek, and German hymnody with classical English psalmody.

It has served as a primary liturgical hymnal for the Church of England and the worldwide Anglican and Episcopal communion for generations, renowned for its doctrinal clarity and reverent choral tradition.

🕊️ Devotional Themes & Reflection

Composed of 16 stanzas, the text centers on foundational biblical themes: adoration and praise to God, humble reliance upon divine grace, steadfast faith amid trials, and the everlasting hope of salvation in Jesus Christ.

Whether sung during Sunday corporate worship or read during family devotions and personal prayer, these stanzas guide the believer to reflect on God's unending mercies and steadfast faithfulness across every season of life.

🎼 Musical Structure & Liturgy

  • Poetic Meter: 8 7 8 7 8 7 8 7
  • Stanza Structure: 16 Verses with cathedral pipe organ accompaniment
  • Liturgical Placement: Suitable as an Opening Hymn of Praise, Call to Worship, Offertory, or Closing Doxology
  • Pipe Organ Audio: Multi-verse accompaniment synthesized to support organists, choir rehearsals, and home worship
⚖️ Public Domain Archival: This historic hymn text and tune are in the worldwide public domain and may be freely printed in church bulletins or projected for public worship.
WINDOWS DESKTOP EDITION 100% Offline Worship

Take All 1,838 Hymns With Cathedral Organ Tunes Everywhere

Download the free offline Windows app with full 4-part harmony pipe organ accompaniments for both Sacred Songs & Solos and Hymns Ancient & Modern.

⬇️ Download for Windows PC (2.9 MB) View simple 1-minute installation guide →