Worldwide Peace

A gospel music writer and publisher in Little Rock, William Ramsey wrote this song one the eve of World War I. It comes to us from the singing of Almeda Riddle, a famed traditional singer from Heber Springs, Ark., recorded on "How Firm a Foundation," (Arkansas Traditions). She recalled the song after her own son enlisted for World War II, and she wrote the last verse herself.

Dear Heavenly Father, wouldst Thou dain to hear
Rush an order this warfare to cease?
O, grant, gracious God, the ushering in
Of the dawning of worldwide peace.

O, peace, O peace,
Sweet dove of peace, let your wide wings
Encircle our globe.
O, Lord, how we pray and we hope everyday
For the dawning of worldwide peace.

Save from the slaughter of blood thirsty rulers
Our fathers, brothers, husbands and our sons.
O, grant that sweet rivers of peace may soon flow
Where the blood of our own now runs.

Grant that all nations may ground arms of warfare
And turn toward the great Prince of Peace,
Relying on Him to preserve and protect
Then Warfare and strife will cease.

Beating their weapons of war into plowshares
And sowing the battlefields with wheat,
Feeding the hungry of all of the nations
And living at last in peace.