The Cyber Hymnal ‎#11892

11892. Seek Not Afar For Beauty

1 Seek not afar for beauty: lo, it glows
In dew-wet grasses all about thy feet;
In birds, in sunshine, childish faces sweet,
In stars and mountain summits topped with snows.

2 Go not abroad for happiness: for see,
It is a flower blooming at thy door.
Bring love and justice home, and then no more
Thou’lt wonder in what dwelling joy may be.

3 Dream not of noble service elsewhere wrought;
The simple duty that awaits thy hand
Is God’s voice uttering a divine command,
Life’s common deeds build all that saints have thought.

4 In wonder-workings, or some bush aflame,
Men look for God and fancy Him concealed;
But in earth’s common things He stands revealed,
While grass and flowers and stars spell out His name.

Text Information

• First Line: Seek not afar for beauty; lo, it glows
• Title: Seek Not Afar For Beauty
• Author: Minot J. Savage, 1841-1918
• Meter: 11.10.11.10
• Language: English
• Copyright: Public Domain
• Notes: Alternate tune: PENITENTIA by Edward Dearle, 1874

Tune Information

• Name: WILLINGHAM
• Composer: Franz Wilhelm Abt, 1818-1885
• Meter: 11.10.11.10
• Key: E♭ Major
• Copyright: Public Domain