The Cyber Hymnal ‎#13341

13341. Bleak Winter Is Subdued At Length

1 Bleak winter is subdued at length,
And forced to yield the day;
The sun has wasted all his strength,
And driven him away.

2 And now long wished for spring is come,
How altered is the scene!
The trees and shrubs are dressed in bloom,
The earth arrayed in green.

3 Where’er we tread, beneath our feet
The clustering flowers spring;
The artless birds, in concert sweet,
Invite our hearts to sing.

4 But ah! in vain I strive to join
Oppressed with sin and doubt;
I feel ’tis winter still, within,
Tho’ all is spring without.

5 Oh! would my Savior from on high,
Break thro’ these clouds and shine!
No creature, then, more blest than I,
No song more loud than mine.

6 Till then—no softly warbling thrush,
Nor cowslip’s sweet perfume;
Nor beauties of each painted bush,
Can dissipate my gloom.

7 To Adam, soon as he transgressed,
Thus Eden bloomed in vain;
Not paradise could give him rest,
Or soothe his heartfelt pain.

8 Yet here an emblem I perceive
Of what the Lord can do;
Dear Savior, help me to believe
That I may flourish, too.

9 Thy word can soon my hopes revive,
Can overcome my foes;
And make my languid graces thrive,
And blossom like the rose.

Text Information

• First Line: Bleak winter is subdued at length
• Title: Bleak Winter Is Subdued At Length
• Author: John Newton
• Meter: CM
• Language: English
• Source: Olney Hymns (London, W. Oliver, 1779), Book 2
• Copyright: Public Domain
• Notes: Alternate tunes: EAGLEY by James Walch, ELIM by Henry W. Greatorex

Tune Information

• Name: FAR AND NEAR
• Composer: Johann Gottlieb Karl Spazier, 1761-1805
• Meter: CM
• Key: A♭ Major
• Copyright: Public Domain