Rock of Ages, Let Our Song

Rock of Ages, let our song
Praise Thy saving power;
Thou, amidst the raging foes,
Wast our sheltering tower.
Furious they assailed us,
But Thine arm availed us,
And Thy Word
Broke their sword
When our own strength failed us.

Kindling new the holy lamps,
Priests, approved in suffering,
Purified the nation’s shrine,
Brought to God their offering.
And His courts surrounding
Hear, in joy abounding,
Happy throngs,
Singing songs
With a mighty sounding.

Children of the martyr race,
Whether free or fettered,
Wake the echoes of the songs
Where ye may be scattered.
Yours the message cheering
That the time is nearing
Which will see
All men free,
Tyrants disappearing.

Author: Marcus Jastrow

Year: 1870

This is the English translation/adaptation of the Hebrew Maoz Tzur ("Rock of Ages"). The original Hebrew is much older (c. 13th century, author unknown), but the popular English lyrics given here were written by Rabbi Marcus Jastrow in 1870 (sometimes published with Gustav Gottheil). Alternate attributions occasionally credit other 19th-century translators, but Jastrow is the primary one.