Author: Bishop Christopher Wordsworth Hymnal: The Hymnal #276 (1895) Lyrics:
1 Gracious Spirit, Holy Ghost,
Taught by Thee, we covet most,
Of thy gifts at Pentecost,
Holy, heavenly love.
2 Faith that mountains could remove,
Tongues of earth or heaven above,
Knowledge, all things, empty prove,
Without heavenly love.
3 Love is kind, and suffers long;
Love is meek, and thinks no wrong;
Love than death itself more strong;
Therefore, give us love.
4 Prophecy will fade away,
Melting in the light of day;
Love will ever with us stay;
Therefore, give us love.
5 Faith will vanish into sight;
Hope be emptied in delight;
Love in heaven will shine more bright;
Therefore, give us love.
6 Faith and hope and love we see,
Joining hand in hand, agree;
But the greatest of the three,
And the best, is love.
7 From the overshadowing
Of Thy gold and silver wing,
Shed on us who to Thee sing,
Holy, heavenly love.
Amen.
Gracious Spirit, Holy Ghost