Methodist Hymn and Tune Book ‎#617

617. Eternal Father! who can tell

1 Eternal Father! who can tell
The years of Thy right hand?
Like sunbeams bright, but numberless,
Or as the ocean's sand.

2 Thine ageless age no limit knows,
No dawn began Thy day,
Nor evening shade shall ever fall
Upon Thy glorious way.

3 All time is but a fleeting wave
Upon Thy calm, deep sea,
A fading leaf that feebly falls
From Life's Eternal Tree.

4 Yet unto Thee our fleeting years,
Our fading days, are known,
And every hour its message bears
To the eternal Throne.

5 Into the hand of Him who died,
Who evermore doth live,
This strange and solemn New Year's path
In trustful prayer we give.

6 Enough for us to hear His voice,
To feel His guiding hand,
To know each step is bringing us
Nearer the Better Land.

Text Information

• First Line: Eternal Father! who can tell
• Author: R. Dawson, 1836-
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1917
• Topic: Old Year; God: Eternity of; Seasons and Occasions; Year, Close of the; Year: New Year; New Year, Hymns for

Tune Information

• Name: ST. FULBERT
• Composer: Dr. H. J. Gauntlett, 1805-1876
• Meter: C.M.
• Key: E Major