I am a great complainer, that bears the name of Christ

1.
I am a great complainer, that bears the name of Christ;
Come, all ye Zion mourners, and listen to my cries:
I've many sore temptations, and sorrows to my soul;
I feel my faith declining, and my affections cold.

2.
O Lord of life and glory, my sins to me reveal,
And by thy love and power, my sin sick soul be healed;
I thought my warfare over, no trouble I should see;
But now I'm like the lonely dove, that mourns on the wavering tree.

3.
I wish it was with me now, as in the days of old,
When the glorious light of Jesus was flowing in my soul;
But now I am distressed, and no relief can find,
With a hard deceitful heart, and a wretched wandering mind.

4.
It is great pride and passion, beset me on my way,
So I am filled with folly, and so neglect to pray;
While others run rejoicing, and seem to lose no time,
I am so weak I stumble, and so I'm left behind.

5.
I read that peace and happiness meet Christians in their way,
That bear their cross with meekness, and don't neglect to pray
But I, a thousand objects beset me in my way
So I am filled with folly, and so neglect to pray.

The Southern Harmony

• Audio recording from The Southern Harmony, and Musical Companion (New ed. thoroughly rev. and much enl.) #18
• MIDI file from The Southern Harmony, and Musical Companion (New ed. thoroughly rev. and much enl.) #18