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