1 O Father, all-creating,
Whose wisdom, love, and pow'r
First bound two lives together
In Eden's primal hour,
To these who come before you,
Your earliest gifts renew:
A home by you made happy,
A love by you kept true.
2 O Savior, guest in Cana
Of old in Galilee,
May these who ask your blessing
Your loving presence see.
Their store of earthly gladness
Transform to heav'nly wine,
And teach them, in the testing,
To know your gift divine.
3 O Spirit of the Father,
Breathe on them from above,
So mighty in your pureness,
So tender in your love;
That, guarded by your presence,
From sin and strife kept free,
Their hearts may seek your guidance,
And love you faithfully.
4 Unless you build it, Father,
The house is built in vain;
Unless you bless it, Savior,
The joy will turn to pain;
But none can break the union
Of hearts in you made one;
The love your Spirit blesses
Is endless love begun.
Source: Journeysongs (3rd ed.) #544
John Ellerton (b. London, England, 1826; d. Torquay, Devonshire, England, 1893) Educated at King William's College on the Isle of Man and at Trinity College, Cambridge, England, he was ordained in the Church of England in 1851. He served six parishes, spending the longest time in Crewe Green (1860-1872), a church of steelworkers and farmers. Ellerton wrote and translated about eighty hymns, many of which are still sung today. He helped to compile Church Hymns and wrote its handbook, Notes and Illustrations to Church Hymns (1882). Some of his other hymn texts were published in The London Mission Hymn Book (1884).
Bert Polman… Go to person page >
My Starred Hymns
My FlexScores
My Hymnals
My Purchased Files
