O day of peace that dimly shines

O day of peace that dimly shines. Carl P. Daw, Jr.* (1944- ). Written for H82 at the request of the texts committee as a hymn for peace. It was written to be sung to JERUSALEM, the tune composed by C.H.H. Parry* for ‘And did those feet in ancient time’* by William Blake*. This has affected the rhythm of the lines, which have an assurance and inevitability that makes them seem active and rousing in their desire for peace. Like Blake’s hymn, this has two 8-line stanzas, but instead of his intense plea for justice, Daw’s text prays ‘May swords of hate fall from our hands’ (an echo of ‘Nor shall my sword sleep in my hand’). The second stanza is an eloquent paraphrase of Isaiah 11: 6-9, with the...