1 By Alpine lake, 'neath shady rock
The herdboy knelt beside his flock,
And softly told, with pious air,
His alphabet as evening prayer,
His alphabet as evening prayer.

2 Unseen, his pastor lingered near,
"My child, what means the sound I hear.
May I not in thy worship share,
And raise to heaven my evening prayer?
And raise to heaven my evening prayer?"

3 "Where'er the hills and valleys blend,
The sound of prayer and praise ascend.
My child, a prayer yours cannot be;
You've only said your A B C,
You've only said your A B C."

4 "I have no better way to pray,
All that I know to God I say;
I tell the letters on my knees;
He makes the words himself to please,
He makes the words himself to please.