I use to sing it just for the sake of it.. i never truly understood what it meant till last night.. now when i sing it i feel so melancholy and poignant.. i think age does that to you.. but some parts in this are thought provoking..

Our father by whose servants, our house was built of old,
whose hand hath crowned her children with blessing manifold,
for thine unfailing mercies far strewn along our way
with all who pass before us, we praise thy name today

"The changeful years unresting their silence course have sped..
New comrades ever bringing in comrade steps to tread
And some are long forgotten, long spent their hopes and fears,
Safe rest they in thy keeping, who changest not with years..

They reap not where they labored, we reap what they have sown
our harvest may be garnered by ages yet unknown
They days of old have dowered us with gifts beyond all praise
Our father make us faithful to serve the coming days,
Before us and beside us, still holden in thine hand
A cloud unseen of witness, our elder comrades stand
One family, unbroken, we join, with one acclaim,
One heart, one voice uplifting, to glorify thy name...

I never thought i would appreciate this as i do so now... guess ive grown up.. hopeful just a little..
hope i didnt missed anything... gulp