I Vow To Thee My Country
Jenkins Katherine Lyrics


Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴  Line by Line Meaning ↴

I vow to thee my country, all earthly things above,
Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love.
The love that asks no question, the love that stands the test,
That lays upon the altar the dearest and the best.
The love that never falters, the love that pays the price,
The love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice.

And there'es another country I've heard of long ago,
Most dear to them that love her, most great to them that know.
We may not count her armies, we may not see her king,
Her fortress is a faithful heart, her pride is suffering.





And soul by soul and silently her shining bounds increase,
And her ways are ways of gentleness and all her paths are peace.

Overall Meaning

The lyrics of Jenkins Katherine's hymn I Vow to Thee My Country are a declaration of love and devotion to one's country in both earthly and spiritual senses. The first stanza affirms that the singer's love for their country surpasses all else and is whole and perfect, and that the singer is willing to give their all in service to this love. The second half of the stanza speaks of a love that is unwavering and courageous, willing to make any sacrifice for its country.


The second stanza introduces another country, one that is not of this world but is instead a spiritual ideal. This country's greatness is not measured by its power or wealth but by the love and loyalty of its people. The boasting of armies and kings is replaced by the image of a fortress built not of stone but of the faithful hearts of its citizens. Here, pride is found in suffering and the country's strength comes from the silent increase of its shining bounds. The hymn ends with a message of peace, as the gentle ways of this ideal land are contrasted with the strife and conflict of earthly nations.


Overall, the lyrics of I Vow to Thee My Country express a complex and layered view of patriotism, one that acknowledges both the flawed realities of earthly nations and the transcendent ideals that inspire us to strive for something greater.


Line by Line Meaning

I vow to thee my country, all earthly things above,
I pledge my allegiance and devotion to my country above all else, including material possessions and worldly desires.


Entire and whole and perfect, the service of my love.
I will wholeheartedly serve my country with complete and unwavering devotion.


The love that asks no question, the love that stands the test,
My love for my country is unconditional and withstands any challenges and obstacles thrown its way.


That lays upon the altar the dearest and the best.
I will sacrifice all that is precious and valuable to me for the peace, prosperity, and glory of my country.


The love that never falters, the love that pays the price,
I will never waver in my love for my country and will willingly pay any cost or bear any burden to uphold its honor and dignity.


The love that makes undaunted the final sacrifice.
I am prepared to make the ultimate sacrifice, giving my life in defense of my country, without fear or hesitation.


And there's another country I've heard of long ago,
There is another ideal country, not necessarily a physical place, that I have learned about and strive to embody.


Most dear to them that love her, most great to them that know.
This country is beloved by those who love its principles, and admired by those who understand its greatness.


We may not count her armies, we may not see her king,
This country does not rely on military might or a monarch to demonstrate its strength and authority.


Her fortress is a faithful heart, her pride is suffering.
This country's strongest defense is the unwavering loyalty and dedication of its citizens, and its greatest source of pride is its ability to endure hardship and adversity.


And soul by soul and silently her shining bounds increase,
This country's influence and reach grows through the quiet, unseen contributions of its people, one person at a time.


And her ways are ways of gentleness and all her paths are peace.
This country's approach to conflict and social issues is characterized by kindness and non-violence, as it seeks to achieve peace and harmony for all.




Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS

Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
To comment on or correct specific content, highlight it

Genre not found
Artist not found
Album not found
Song not found

More Versions