Lord, not for light in darkness do we pray

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Lord, not for light in darkness do we pray

Author: John Drinkwater
Tune: STONEY
Published in 7 hymnals

Printable scores: PDF, MusicXML
Audio files: MIDI

Representative Text

1. Lord, not for light in darkness do we pray,
Not that the veil be lifted from our eyes,
Not that the slow ascension of our day
Be otherwise.

2. We know the paths wherein our feet should press,
Across our hearts are written Thy decrees;
Yet now O Lord, be merciful to bless,
With more than these.

3. Grant us the will to fashion as we feel;
Grant us the strength to labor as we know;
Grant us the purpose, ribbed and edged with steel,
To strike the blow.

4. Knowledge we ask not, knowledge Thou hast lent,
But Lord, the will, there lies our bitter need;
Give us to build above the deep intent
The deed, the deed.

Source: The Cyber Hymnal #3953

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Author: John Drinkwater

Although born in Leytonstone, East London, in 1882, Drinkwater spent much of his younger life in Oxfordshire. His father was a master at a good school in Leytonstone, who gave up teaching to go on the stage. He took his young son with him in his early days, and he met many famous actors. However, when he was about 9 years old, Drinkwater was sent to Oxford High School, where he spent his term time living with his paternal grandfather, an ironmonger who traded out of Cornhill, Oxford. The grandfather’s family, mainly based in Oxfordshire, were, before the advent of the railway, providing public transport by way of stage coaches from London to Oxford, and from Oxford to Banbury and Warwick. During the school holidays, Drinkwater staye… Go to person page >

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