====== #2095 - K. of P. Opening Ode / Closing Ode ======
[[..:2094:|prev]] | [[..:2096:|next]]
/*-32note-*//*-multi-*//*-fraternal-*/
  *Composer:
    *1) ++Justus Henry Rathbone|{{search>"Justus Henry Rathbone" @cobs}}++ (1839-1889), c1864
    *2) ++Justus Henry Rathbone|{{search>"Justus Henry Rathbone" @cobs}}++ (1839-1889), c1864
  *[[/cob_label/index.php|Print a Label]]
  *1) ++Lyrics:|\\
God bless our knightly band!\\
Firm may it ever stand,\\
Thro' storm and night;\\
Wen the wild tempests rave,\\
Ruler of wind and wave,\\
Do thou our order save\\
By thy great might.\\
\\
For this our prayers ascend--\\
God bless, protect, defend,\\
God guard our rights;\\
Thou who art ever nigh,\\
Viewing with watchful eye,\\
To thee aloud we cry:\\
God save the knights!\\
\\
++
    *//(unknown)//
  *2) ++Lyrics:|\\
May our slumbers be all blest,\\
When we close our eyes in rest;\\
May the holy angels keep\\
Vigils o'er us while we sleep.\\
\\
Sleep tlll rosy morning comes,\\
With its light to bless our homes;\\
May the angels ever keep\\
Vigils o'er us while we sleep.\\
\\
Goodnight.\\
\\
++
    *//(unknown)//
  *See also:
    *[[..:2094:]]

The Knights of Pythias songbook //Odes and Marches of the order of Knights of Pythias// contains over a dozen ritualistic songs, almost all written by Justus Henry Rathbone. An alternate melody to the //Opening Ode// is [[..:14:]]; an alternate melody to the //Closing Ode// is [[..:36:]]

The [[http://www.pythias.org/|Order of Knights of Pythias]] is an international, non-sectarian fraternal order, established in 1864 in Washington, DC, by Rathbone and was the first fraternal order to be chartered by an Act of Congress.