Father, Hear the Prayer We Offer

A lovely song, and one that is also good for learning basic harmony (alto) if sung to St. Sylvester (Dykes).  Note the second line of the first verse is an excellent example of a lyric that is most likely entirely cryptic to the singer.  With examination, the intended sense is as follows.  The "that" is not functioning as a relative pronoun (introducing a clause) but as a demonstrative adjective (i.e., this/that/these/those):  "that prayer" is the one that line one is asking the Father to hear.  The object of the sentence is placed first and "not" has been elided with "and" to create "nor."  Untangled, the lines would be:  "Father, hear the prayer we offer AND that prayer shall not be for ease [in life]."  The rest of the song continues to stress a renunciation of seeking an easy way forward.  The renewal lyrics more clearly express this basic thought upon which the song elaborates.

Original lyrics:

Father, hear the prayer we offer
Nor for ease that prayer shall be,
But for strength, that we may ever
Live our lives courageously.

Not forever by still waters
Would we idly, quiet stay;
But would smite the living fountains
From the rocks along our way.

Be our strength in hours of weakness,
In our wandr’ings be our guide;
Thro’ endeavor, failure, danger,
Father, be THOU at our side.

Let our path be bright or dreary,
Storm or sunshine be our share;
May our souls in hope unweary
Make THY work our ceaseless prayer.

Lyrics by Love M. Willis, 1856; arr., Samuel Longfellow, 1864.

Comments and Suggestions:

As noted in prior songs, "SMITE" just clamors its archaicism.  Endeavor is likely also cryptic to most singers (except as a Star Fleet vessel name).

Renewal lyrics:

Father, hear the prayer we offer
NOT TO LIVE TOO EASILY
But for strength, that we may ever
Live our lives courageously.

Not forever by still waters
Would we idly, quiet stay;
But would STRIKE FORTH living fountains
From the rocks along our way.

Be our strength in hours of weakness,
In our wandr’ings be our guide;
THRU ATTEMPTS AND failure, danger,
Father, PLEASE BE at our side.

Let our path be bright or dreary,
Storm or sunshine be our share;
May our souls in hope unweary
Make YOUR work our ceaseless prayer.

Renewal lyric changes by RH Reinhard (c) 2014