1 Sin enslaved me many years,
And led me bound and blind,
'Till at length a thousand fears
Came swarming o'er my mind;
Where I said in deep distress
Will these sinful pleasures end?
How shall I secure my peace,
And make the Lord my friend?
2 Friends and minsters said much,
The gospel to enforce;
But my blindness still was such,
I chose a legal course;
Much I fasted, watched, and strove,
Scarce would show my face abroad,
Feared almost, to speak or move,
A stranger still to God.
3 Thus afraid to trust his grace,
Long time did I rebel;
'Till despairing of my case,
Down at his feet I fell;
Then my stubborn heart he broke,
And subdued me to his sway
By a simple word he spoke,
"Thy sins are done away."
Hymns and Spiritual Songs for the use of Christians, 1803
William Cowper (pronounced "Cooper"; b. Berkampstead, Hertfordshire, England, 1731; d. East Dereham, Norfolk, England, 1800) is regarded as one of the best early Romantic poets. To biographers he is also known as "mad Cowper." His literary talents produced some of the finest English hymn texts, but his chronic depression accounts for the somber tone of many of those texts. Educated to become an attorney, Cowper was called to the bar in 1754 but never practiced law. In 1763 he had the opportunity to become a clerk for the House of Lords, but the dread of the required public examination triggered his tendency to depression, and he attempted suicide. His subsequent hospitalization and friendship with Morley and Mary Unwin provided emotional st… Go to person page >
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