Scripture Verse

Let it please Thee to bless the house of Thy servant, that it may continue for ever before Thee. 2 Samuel 7:29

Introduction

Words: Tas­so Cor­ben, in Fran­cis Mur­phy’s Gos­pel Tem­per­ance Hym­nal, ed­it­ed by Je­re­mi­ah E. Ran­kin & Ed­mund S. Lo­renz (New York: A. S. Barnes, 1878).

Music: Gold­en Gate Fried­rich Sil­cher (1789–1860) (🔊 pdf nwc).

If you know where to get a good pho­to of Cor­ben (head & shoul­ders, at least 200×300 pix­els),

portrait
Friedrich Silcher (1789–1860)

Lyrics

God bless the home, tho’ humble,
So full of love’s sweet light;
God bless the little children,
With their sweet faces bright;
God bless the mother tender,
God bless the father, too;
God make us fond and faithful,
God keep us kind and true.

God bless the home, where daily
The songs of praise arise;
Where all kneel round the altar,
And offer sacrifice.
Alas! for homes where ne­ver
Is heard the voice of prayer;
Alas! for homes, when Je­sus,
Is ne­ver mentioned there!

Alas! for homes, where sorrow
Like night must ever brood;
Where children lack for clothing,
And for their daily food.
God bless the home He gives us,
The home that gave us birth;
God keep us fond and faithful,
And make it Hea­ven on earth.