All within are love and gladness,
Light and warmth and cheer;
All without the night wind wailing
O’er the lonely mere.
There within the child belovèd—
There the welcome sweet;
There without the wandering orphan
And the weary feet.
Wandering child! the Door is open—
That fair palace-door;
There thy Father’s kiss awaits thee,
Fatherless no more.
One fair golden Door—one only,
Jesus Who has died;
Jesus is that blessed Doorway
Open free and wide.
Child, no need to knock, to ask Him
If thou mayest come;
Lo! He stands in love beseeching,
Saying, “Child! come home.”
Saying, “Child, the night is dreary
On the mountains lone;
Pass within thy Father’s palace,
Heaven is all thine own.
“Thou hast sinned, and I have suffered
Curse and death for thee;
Now as I to Him am precious,
Thou art dear to Me.”
Source: Hymns of Ter Steegen and Others (Second Series) #127