Luke 5:5–6Master, we’ve worked hard all night and haven’t caught anything. But because you say so, I will let down the nets.
When they had done so, they caught such a large number of fish that their nets began to break.
Words: Christopher Wordsworth, The Holy Year (London: Rivingtons, 1862), number 7 alt. Christ ever coming to His people in their dangers and distresses.
Music: A Little Kingdom Alonzo P. Howard, 1873 (🔊 pdf nwc).
Alternate Tunes:
If you know where to get a good photo of Howard (head & shoulders, at least 200×300 pixels),
The Galilean fishers toil
All night, and nothing take;
But Jesus comes–a wondrous spoil
Is lifted from the lake.
Lord, when our labors are in vain,
And vain the help of men,
When fruitless is our care and pain,
Come blessèd Jesu, then!
The night is dark, the surges fill
The bark, the wild winds roar;
But Jesus comes, and all is still—
The ship is at the shore.
O Lord, when storms around us howl,
And all is dark and drear,
In all the tempests of the soul,
O blessèd Jesu, hear!
A frail one, thrice denying Thee,
Saw mercy in Thine eyes;
The penitent upon the tree
Was borne to paradise.
In hours of sin and deep distress,
O show us, Lord, Thy face;
In penitential loneliness,
O give us, Jesu, grace!
The faithful few retire in fear
Unto the upper room;
But suddenly, with joyful cheer,
They see their Master come.
Lord, come to us, unloose our bands,
And bid our terrors cease,
Lift over us Thy blessèd hands,
Speak, holy Jesu, peace.
In days when faith will scarce be found,
And wolves be in the fold,
When sin and sorrow will abound,
And charity wax cold,
Then hear Thy saints, who to Thee pray
To bring them to their home;
Hear, when the Bride and Spirit say,
Come, blessèd Jesu, come!