Analysis of Before The Lord We Bow

Francis Scott Key 1779 (Carroll County) – 1843 (Baltimore)



Before the Lord we bow, the God Who reigns above,
And rules the world below, boundless in power and love.
Our thanks we bring in joy and praise, our hearts we raise
To Heaven's high King.

The nation Thou hast blest may well Thy love declare,
From foes and fears at rest, protected by Thy care.
For this fair land, for this bright day, our thanks we pay,
Gifts of Thy hand.

May every mountain height, each vale and forest green,
Shine in Thy Word's pure light, and its rich fruits be seen!
May every tongue be tuned to praise, and join to raise
A grateful song.

Earth, hear thy Maker's voice, thy great Redeemer own;
Believe, obey, rejoice, and worship Him alone.
Cast down thy pride, thy sin deplore and bow before
The Crucified.

And when in power He comes, O may our native land,
From all its rending tombs, send forth a glorious band.
A countless throng, ever to sing to Heaven's high King
Salvation's song.


Scheme AABC DDXE FFBG HHXX EECG
Poetic Form Tetractys  (30%)
Metre 010111011101 0101011001001 10111010110111 11011 010111111101 110111010111 1111111110111 1111 1100101110101 101111011111 1100111110111 0101 1111011111 010101010101 111111010101 010 01010111110101 1111011101001 0101101111011 11
Closest metre Iambic pentameter
Characters 892
Words 168
Sentences 10
Stanzas 5
Stanza Lengths 4, 4, 4, 4, 4
Lines Amount 20
Letters per line (avg) 35
Words per line (avg) 8
Letters per stanza (avg) 141
Words per stanza (avg) 34
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Submitted on May 13, 2011

Modified by acronimous on August 25, 2020

51 sec read
133

Francis Scott Key

Francis Scott Key was an American lawyer, author, and amateur poet, from Georgetown, who wrote the lyrics to the United States' national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner". more…

All Francis Scott Key poems | Francis Scott Key Books

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