O loving and forgiving

1 O loving and forgiving,
Ye angel words of earth,
Years were not worth the living,
If ye, too, had not birth.
O loving and forbearing,
How sweet your missions here!
The grief that ye are sharing,
Hath blessings in its tear.

2 O stern and unforgiving,
Ye evil words of strife,
That mock the means of living
With never-ending strife.
O harsh and unrelenting!
How would ye meet the grave,
If heaven as unrepenting
Forbore not nor forgave!

3 O loving and forgiving,
Ye angel words of earth,
Years were not worth the living,
If ye, too, had not birth:
Still breathe your influence o'er us,
When'er by passion cross'd,
And, angel-like, restore us,
The paradise we lost.

Source: Linden Harp: a rare collection of popular melodies adapted to sacred and moral songs, original and selected. Illustrated. Also a manual of... #59a