1 My dear Jesus I'll not leave,
Who for me Himself has given;
Therefore, unto Him I'll cleave,
Nor from Him be ever driven;
Life from Him doth light receive;
My dear Jesus I'll not leave.
2 Jesus I will never leave,
While on earth I am abiding;
My full trust He shall receive;
What I have, without dividing,
All to Him I freely give;
My dear Jesus I'll not leave.
3 Though my eyesight pass away,
Hearing, taste and feeling fail me;
Though the earth's last light of day
Shall o'ertake and sore assail me;
E'en when my last sigh I heave
My dear Jesus I'll not leave.
4 Nor will I my Jesus leave
When at length I shall come thither
Where His saints He will receive,
That in bliss they live together;
Endless joy to me He'll give;--
My dear Jesus I'll not leave.
5 Not for earth's vain joys I crave,
Not for heaven's glorious pleasure;
Jesus who my soul did save
Shall be my Desire and Treasure:
He redemption did achieve;--
My dear Jesus I'll not leave.
6 Jesus I shall never leave,
To His side still firmly clinging.
Christ leads all who Him receive
To life's waters ever springing.
Blessed they who to Him cleave!--
My dear Jesus I'll not leave.
Source: Evangelical Lutheran Hymn-book #88