The New English Hymnal ‎#385

385. Jesu, the very thought of thee

1 Jesu, the very thought of thee
With sweetness fills my breast;
But sweeter far thy face to see,
And in thy presence rest.

2 Nor voice can sing, nor heart can frame,
Nor can the memory find,
A sweeter sound than thy blest name,
O Saviour of mankind!

3 O hope of every contrite heart,
O joy of all the meek,
To those who fall, how kind thou art!
How good to those who seek!

4 But what to those who find? Ah, this
Nor tongue nor pen can show;
The love of Jesus, what it is
None but his loved ones know.

4 Jesu, our only joy be thou,
As thou our prize wilt be;
Jesu, be thou our glory now,
And through eternity.

Text Information

• First Line: Jesu, the very thought of thee
• Latin Title: Jesu, dulcis memoria
• Translator: Edward Caswall, 1814-78
• Meter: CM
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1986
• Topic: The Circumcision of Christ: January 1st
• Source: Latin, 12th century

Tune Information

• Name: ST BOTOLPH
• Composer: Gordon Slater, 1896-1979
• Meter: CM
• Key: E♭ Major
• Copyright: By permission of Oxford University Press (from "English Hymnal")