The Hymnal for Boys and Girls ‎#167

167. Seek Not Afar for Beauty

1 Seek not afar for beauty: lo, it glows
In dew-wet grasses all bout 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 offering 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
• Meter: 10.10.10.10
• Publication Date: 1935

Tune Information

• Name: WILLINGHAM
• Composer: Franz Abt
• Meter: 10.10.10.10
• Key: F Major