Alford was a moderate who attempted to keep good relations between non-conformists and the High Church Anglicans in the Church of England: "Come, Ye Thankful People, Come" is commonly found in evangelical hymn books, as are Alford's "Forward be our watchword" and "Ten thousand times ten thousand".

[3] The first verse is written as a celebration of the harvest, calling for people to give thanks to God for it.

We ourselves are God's own field, Fruit unto his praise to yield; Wheat and tares together sown Unto joy or sorrow grown; First the blade and then the ear, Then the full corn shall appear; Grant, O harvest Lord, that we Wholesome grain and pure may be.

For the Lord our God shall come, And shall take the harvest home; From His field shall in that day All offences purge away, Giving angels charge at last In the fire the tares to cast; But the fruitful ears to store In the garner evermore.

All this world is God's own field, Fruit unto his praise to yield; Wheat and tares therein are sown Unto joy or sorrow grown; Ripening with a wondrous power Till the final harvest-hour: Grant, O Lord of life, that we Holy grain and pure may be.