Victory Songs ‎#295

295. How Tedious and Tasteless.

1 How tedious and tasteless the hours
When Jesus no longer I see!
Sweet prospects sweet birds, and sweet flow'rs,
Have all lost their sweetness to me;
The midsummer sun shines 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 monarch so happy as I;
My summer would last all the year.

3 Content with beholding His face,
My all to His pleasure resign;
No changes of seasons or place
Would make any change in my mind:
While blest with the sense of His love,
A palace of joy would appear;
And prisons would palaces prove,
If Jesus would dwell with me there.

4 My Lord, if indeed I am Thine,
And Thou art my sun and my song,
Say, why do I languish and pine?
And why are my winter so long?
O drive those dark clouds from the sky,
Thy soul-cheering presence restore;
Or take me to Thee up on high,
Where winter and clouds are no more.

Text Information

• First Line: How tedious and tasteless the hours
• Title: How Tedious and Tasteless.
• Author: John Newton
• Refrain First Line: The midsummer sun shines but dim
• Language: English
• Publication Date: 1920
• Topic: Devotional Songs
• Notes: Public Domain.

Tune Information

• Name: [How tedious and tasteless the hours]
• Composer: Lewis Edson
• Key: G Major
• Notes: Public Domain.