When Wilt Thou Save the People?

When wilt Thou save the people?
   O God of mercy, when?
Not kings and lords, but nations!
   Not thrones and crowns, but men!
Flowers of Thy heart, O God, are they;
Let them not pass, like weeds, away,
Their heritage, a sunless day.
   God, save the people.

Shall crime bring crime forever,
   Strength aiding still the strong?
Is it Thy will, O Father,
   That man shall toil for wrong?
No, say Thy mountains; No, Thy skies;
Man's clouded sun shall brightly rise,
And songs ascend, instead of sighs.
   God, save the people!

When wilt Thou save the people?
   O God of mercy, when?
The people, Lord, the people,
   Not thrones and crowns, but men!
God, save the people, Thine they are,
Thy children as Thine angels fair.
From vice, oppression, and despair,
   God, save the people!

                ~ Ebenezer Elliott