Forsaken once, and thrice de­nied,
The ris­en Lord gave par­don free,
Stood once again at Pe­ter’s side,
And asked him, Lov’st thou Me?

How ma­ny times with faith­less word
Have we de­nied His ho­ly name,
How oft for­sak­en our dear Lord,
And shrunk when tri­al came?

Saint Peter, when the cock crew clear,
Went out, and wept his brok­en faith;
Strong as a rock through strife and fear,
He served his Lord till death.

How oft his cow­ard­ice of heart
We have with­out his love sin­cere,
The sin with­out the sor­row’s smart,
The shame with­out the tear!

O oft for­sak­en, oft de­nied,
Forgive our shame, wash out our sin;
Look on us from Thy Fa­ther’s side
And let that sweet look win.

Hear when we call Thee from the deep,
Still walk be­side us on the shore,
Give hands to work, and eyes to weep,
And hearts to love Thee more.