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May Nothing Evil Cross This Door
Hymn composed by
Robert N. QuaileContextual information
The tune OLDBRIDGE. was written by Robert N. Quaile (1867–1927), a Methodist minister's son and businessperson in Mallow, Ireland. It was first published in The English Hymnal in 1906.
The lyrics to this piece are adapted from the poem “Prayer for This House” by the American poet and critic Louis Untermeyer (1885–1977), published in 1923 as part of the anthology This Singing World. In that same year, Untermeyer resigned from his family’s jewelry manufacturing business to devote himself to writing and editing. He went on to write or edit nearly 100 books.
This hymn appears as #1 in Singing the Living Tradition.
The tune OLDBRIDGE. was written by Robert N. Quaile (1867–1927), a Methodist minister's son and businessperson in Mallow, Ireland. It was first published in The English Hymnal in 1906.
The lyrics to this piece are adapted from the poem “Prayer for This House” by the American poet and critic Louis Untermeyer (1885–1977), published in 1923 as part of the anthology This Singing World. In that same year, Untermeyer resigned from his family’s jewelry manufacturing business to devote himself to writing and editing. He went on to write or edit nearly 100 books.
This hymn appears as #1 in Singing the Living Tradition.
Tune Name
OLDBRIDGE
Tune Name
Text Meter
8.8.8.4.
10.9.10.9
Song Composer
Robert N. QuaileHymn Arranger
Composer Background information
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Lyricist Background information
Lyricist Website LinkArranger Background information
Arranger Website LinkLyrics
May nothing evil cross this door,
and may ill fortune never pry about
these windows; may the roar
and rain go by.
By faith made strong, the rafters will
withstand the battering of the storm.
This hearth, though all the world grow chill,
will keep you warm.
Peace shall walk softly through these rooms,
touching our lips with holy wine,
till every casual corner blooms
into a shrine.
With laughter drown the raucous shout,
and, though these sheltering walls are thin,
may they be strong to keep hate out
and hold love in.
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