Faith of our fathers - Frederick W. Faber and James G. Walton

Translated into ASL by David Bar-Tzur

Created 13 June 2007, links updated monthly with the help of LinkAlarm.

EXPLANATION OF THE GLOSSING SYSTEM
(to understand how I describe the signs in this translation).

1. OUR FOREFATHERS FAITH STILL LIVE.
PRISON, FIRE, AND SWORD PREVENT CAN'T.
CRAZY-FOR OUR HEART heart-BEAT STRONG FEEL JOY.
HAPPEN WE THINK-ABOUT REMEMBER YOUR-rt GLORY.

Refrain: OUR FOREFATHERS FAITH, HOLY FAITH.
WE FOLLOW ALWAYS UNTIL WE DIE.

2. OUR FOREFATHERS FAITH, WE WILL STRIVE
CONVINCE (2h)#ALL COUNTRY WORSHIP YOU-rt.
ALWAYS GOD TEACH-us"over time" US TRUTH
UNTIL PAH WE TRUE-BIZ FREE.

3. OUR FOREFATHERS FAITH, WE WILL LOVE
FRIEND, ENEMY BOTH DURING WE STRUGGLE.
ALSO WE PREACH"each" ABOUT YOU-rt THROUGH LOVE.
WE NEED SPEAK KIND, OUR LIFE SHOW"all" RIGHTEOUS.


Notes: FOREFATHERS - PARENTS + (2h)[5], POs ><, FOs up, move in a vertical circle while moving back over shoulder.

FAITH - Like THINK TRUST but with elevated hands and eyes to show the trust is spiritual.

SWORD - (2h)[S], NDH acts as scabbard (sword holder) and DH pulls out sword.

CRAZY-FOR - [5:], PO > singer, FO up, is shaken slightly from side to side.

heart-BEAT - (2h)[B], POs > signer, FOs ><, NDH is held in front of heart and DH moves between, striking chest and palm of NDH.

JOY - alt.HAPPY.

GLORY - (2h)[5], POs><, FOs away from signer, DH which is on top wiggles fingers while ascending. For an animated gif of this sign, see Animated dictionary of religious signs - Deaf Missions: Glory.

HOLY - H-CLEAN. For a QuickTime file of this sign, see ASL Pro: Holy - 1.

STRIVE - Hands are oriented like the sign GOAL but the DH moves in a vertical circle as if trying to get to the goal, but not yet successful.

(2h)#ALL - (2h)[A], POs ><, FOs up, are held at shoulder height and move away while opening to (2h)[L].

WORSHIP - NDH is clasped over DH [S] and hands circle perpendicular to the chest. For an animated gif of this sign, see Animated dictionary of religious signs - Deaf Missions: Worship.

YOU - Underlined words are honorific indices ("indexes"), using the FT of the upturned palm to indicate who is being honored.

PAH! - Like SUCCEED but "pah" is mouthed and has the meaning of "at long last". For a QuickTime movie of this sign, see ASL browser - finally.

TRUE-BIZ - TRUE + (2h)[S], POs down, FOs away, DH brushes from side to side across NDH wrist.

KIND - (2h)[B^], POs ><, FOs away, NDH is held close to heart and DH circles around it.

RIGHTEOUS - Elbow of DH [S] is placed firmly against the backhand of NDH [B], PO down.

Lyrics:

1. Faith of our fathers, living still,
In spite of dungeon, fire and sword;
O how our hearts beat high with joy
Whenever we hear that glorious Word!

Refrain: Faith of our fathers, holy faith!
We will be true to thee till death.

2. Faith of our fathers, we will strive
To win all nations unto Thee;
And through the truth that comes from God,
We all shall then be truly free.

3. Faith of our fathers, we will love
Both friend and foe in all our strife;
And preach Thee, too, as love knows how
By kindly words and virtuous life.

treble clef as a symbol for musicTo hear a musical setting of these lyrics (without words), go to Faith of our fathers.

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