Mary C. D. Hamilton

Lyrics of “Lord, Guard and Guide,” also known as the“United States Air Force Hymn.” The text is derived from a prayer by poet Mary C.D. Hamilton. She also used the same text in “A Hymn for Aviators,” a musical setting by English composer C.H.H. Parry. Hamilton wrote her prayer in 1915 during World War I with the transcript first appearing in the “American Student Hymnal” of 1928 set to Mozart’s “Dona Nobis Pacem.” Years later during World War II, the initial verseof the prayer was adapted for use in “The Navy Hymn” as a tribute to naval aviators.

--www.usafband.af.mil/