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1 How tasteless and tedious the hours
When Jesus no longer I see;
Sweet prospects, sweet birds and sweet flowers
Have lost all their sweetness to me.
The midsummer sunshines but dim,
The fields strive in vain to look gay;
But when I am happy in him
December’s as pleasant as May.
2 His name yields the richest perfume,
And sweeter than music his voice;
His presence disperses my gloom
And makes all within me rejoice.
I should, were he always thus nigh,
Have nothing to wish or to fear;
No mortal so happy as I,
My summer would last all the year.
3 Content with beholding his face,
My all to his pleasure resigned,
No changes of season or place
Could make any change in my mind.
While blessèd with a sense of his love,
A palace a toy would appear;
And prisons would palaces prove
If Jesus would dwell with me there.
4 Dear Lord, if indeed I am thine,
If thou art my sun and my song,
Say why do I languish and pine,
And why are my winters so long?
O drive these dark clouds from my sky!
Thy soul-cheering presence restore,
Or take me to thee up on high
Where winters and clouds are no more.
Text Information | |
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First Line: | How tasteless and tedious the hours |
Author: | John Newton (1725-1807) |
Language: | English |
Publication Date: | 1986 |
Topic: | The gospel: Witness |