Scripture Verse

O sing unto the Lord a new song: sing unto the Lord, all the earth. Psalm 96:1

Introduction

illustration
A Spring Afternoon
Arthur Hughes
1832–1915

Words: Tho­mas H. Gill, 1867. Writ­ten at Whit­sun­tide, first pub­lished in The Gol­den Chain, 1869.

Music: St. Sav­iour (Bak­er) Fred­er­ick G. Bak­er, in the Bris­tol Tune Book, Se­cond Se­ries (Lon­don: No­vel­lo, Ew­er, 1876) (🔊 pdf nwc).

Alternate Tune:

  • King’s Lang­ley Eng­lish May Day ca­rol (🔊 pdf nwc)

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Gill or Bak­er (head-and-shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

Lyrics

The glory of the spring how sweet!
The new-born life how glad!
What joy the happy earth to greet
In new, bright raiment clad!

Divine Redeemer, Thee I bless;
I greet Thy going forth;
I love Thee in the loveliness
Of Thy renewèd earth.

But O these wonders of Thy grace,
These nobler works of Thine,
These marvels sweeter far to trace,
These new births more divine:

This new-born glow of faith so strong,
This bloom of love so fair,
This new-born ecstasy of song,
And fragrancy of prayer!

Creator Spirit, work in me
These wonders sweet of Thine;
Divine Redeemer, graciously
Renew this heart of mine.

Still let new life and strength upspring,
Still let new joy be given;
And grant the glad new song to ring
Through the new earth and Heaven.